Ball Cap

“It’s not the destination. It’s the journey.” I’m sure you have heard something like that before.

Be it “destination” or “journey”, I have learned something along the way: happiness is more of a choice than I first realized.

In the past I tended to think happiness would naturally follow if I…

Attained a certain set of goals.

Or succeeded at certain things.

And I’ll admit, I often experienced a measure of happiness as a goal was accomplished or I succeeded at something that was important to me.

But over time I noticed a pattern: the happiness didn’t last. I felt like someone who won the 100 yard dash. I’d win, feel the joy, and go on to win again. And again.

The problem was holding on to that “winning feeling” between races.

I found myself wanting more.

I wanted to feel joy on a more consistent basis.

I longed to experience happiness more — and chase it less!

In other words, I wanted the kind of happiness that didn’t require me to attain something in order to have the feeling.

A BREAK THROUGH…

I have now come to the realization that, for the most part, I can choose to be happy on a daily basis.

There is a measure of truth in the old saying, “Fake it till you make it.” Granted, it doesn’t work all the time.

However, if “fake it” means choosing to think and act in a variety of “happy ways” before I actually have those feelings, then I would have to say I agree.

Take a simple smile, for instance.

I’ve found that something as simple as smiling can do wonders to help me see that I have in me the ability to choose to be happy.

LIVING IN THE MOMENT

I believe one of the best things we can do is to live in the moment: it does wonders when it comes to cultivating a life filled with ongoing happiness.

Taking the time to reflect and be grateful for the things we have accomplished can also have an enormous impact when it comes to lifting our moods.

I’d strongly encourage you to take breaks during the day.

Take small, bite-sized breaks to ponder those happy memories that you’ve collected in your life.
personal trainer