The Sunny Side Up!

Happiness. You’d be surprised how often the word is spoken in every day conversation if you listen for it. But with this one word comes hundreds of meanings. Happiness is not just the pursuit that our founding fathers wrote about or the moment we fall in love; it’s what we want for the basis of our lives. It is an overarching dream yet it is also a hope in the day to day. It is a commonplace goal that we all strive for and humbly hope for. The good news is that happiness is everywhere if you look for it. It’s that split-second when your iPod plays the perfect song on shuffle, it’s when your mom makes that macaroni and cheese you’ve been missing, and it’s when you’ve finally met a best friend who just gets you. With so many opportunities for unearthed happiness, shouldn’t we learn how to discover it? We may not always recognize it or appreciate it, but I believe that we are hardwired for happiness. We just need to take the time to treasure it. I’m here to help you notice those yet-to-be-seized moments more often and to help you appreciate them more on a daily basis. Sure, we’re hearing the word “happiness” all the time, but are we actually feeling it? And are we looking for it in the right places? An article in Psychological Science recently reported that contrary to popular opinion, especially in America, happiness does not always look like a new Ferrari or a Coach clutch, which an article in Psychological Science recently reported. Novelty purchases can be great things, but the satisfaction is fleeting. Momentary happiness does not mean that it’s meaningful happiness. That hot, red paint fades on the car and the purse goes out of fashion in three months. Instead, I’m looking at a happiness that will always have its engine running and that will never go out of style. It comes from your soul, not your wallet. I’m talking about a happiness that you can’t always touch; an inner joy and a sense of gratitude that somehow makes even the little things in your life become a source of happiness. Maybe it’s in the perfect grasp of a tender hand, or the sound of innocent laughter from your baby cousin playing outside. It’s in the smile of your best friend or in the eyes of your wise grandma. It’s in the hug from your mom after a long day or it’s in a playful nudge from your beloved family pet. Happiness comes from our relationships with people, it’s not from our relationship with material goods. Once we start cultivating these connections, we can truly start living a life of happiness. So why now? Why is today the perfect day for you start striving for happiness? In a world where it is often cool to be “too cool” for enthusiasm and nonchalance becomes the norm, a positive attitude has never been more necessary. It’s time to be proud of being happy. Share your smile with everyone you know. Taking charge of your happiness will give you a passion for life that until now may have been untapped. Your compassion for others will increase tenfold, your goals to give back and to make something of yourself will kick in to high gear, and you’ll feel that you are truly reaping the benefits of what this life has to offer. Some might say that happiness is something that happens to you. I beg to differ. Happiness is something that you can have, you just have to want it enough. It is all yours for the taking. Of course happiness may dawn on us at different times, but it is often a deliberate mentality. You can decide to find the positive in even the most stressful situations if you are willing. Happiness doesn’t occur by chance—you can choose it for yourself. So with your decision in favor of happiness, it’s time to get excited—because with this positive attitude comes the great desire to make a difference, to be a more productive person, and to love others in a way that was previously unattainable. You may see the world in a completely new light. Your life is about to change for the better—I know that mine did once I became conscious of my happiness. Everyone deserves happiness. As you yearn for it for your life, you will long to share it with others. Being happy is not something to hide, even though naysayers may stick their nose up to it. They’re missing out! Just because someone wants to hold back on the potential for an outstandingly happy life doesn’t mean that you should. I know that it can seem like “happy people” can be obnoxious or overrated but it’s time to put that point to rest. Because the truth is, happy people lead healthier and more fulfilling lives, no matter what their external circumstances may be. This is because happy people know that long lasting happiness isn’t in their material possessions—it’s in their meaningful relationships. So no matter what you look like or how much money you have, it won’t mean much if you don’t have internal happiness fueling your life. Anyone can be happy and it starts with loving what you do and loving the people with whom you spend your time. As the cover says, it all starts with giving back, giving thanks, and giving love in your relationships. Now I know you can do that!