Life is About Achieving Happiness

I often hear people say things like, “Do you really think people are as happy as they come off?” or “Everyone is going through something” or “Do you think the things people post on Facebook means their life is perfect?”

Granted, we can all acknowledge no one’s life or circumstance is perfect. But life is what you make it.

People seem to want to justify their own sad lives by generalizing the idea that everyone is unhappy behind closed doors.

I have been through my share of trials, as I’m sure we all have. But I tend to overcome them rather quickly because I immediately want to get back to the state of happiness I typically default to. When people downplay others’ happiness, it takes away from the reality that we CAN all have a great life. It makes complacency or sadness the norm. Do you really think that’s what we are supposed to experience here?

I often find myself feeling guilty when people say things like, “Everybody is going through hard times. We just don’t always see it.” I feel guilt because I try to think of something I may be going through, and I often come up blank. Does that mean I’m doing something wrong? Why am I so content the majority of the time when their people apparently aren’t?

I have come up with two possibilities:

1) They focus on the uncommon negatives

2) They have chosen to let life take its natural course and not attempt to do anything to change it for the better.

Good for those people who are able to still put on a smile even in times of sadness. I admire that. But I personally am NOT always going through a difficult time. I recognize I am blessed, yes. I recognize I was born in much better circumstances than others, yes. But I tire of questioning myself every time someone makes that kind of generalization.

Depression and mental disabilities aside — that’s a whole other topic for another day — YOU HAVE THE POWER TO CONTROL YOUR OWN HAPPINESS.

“Life is hard”….SOMETIMES. But focus on the positive. Take on the world with an optimistic, proactive attitude. Make things happen for yourself. Set (realistic) goals you hope will bring you joy, and do everything you can to achieve them. Find joy in the lessons learned from mistakes. Find purpose in the trials you face. Find ways to make yourself happy.

And don’t think just because you are bringing a fake smile with you everywhere you go that everyone else is. The more probable reality is that the smiling people around you have found happiness in spite of the trials they may or may not be facing.

I believe we create our own happiness.

So create yours. It starts with attitude.