Who knew gratitude better than the one who had nothing at all?
I was a long way into my life before I learned that the more I had, the more I wanted. Like a drink from salty seas, the desires of this world leave us parched and unfulfilled, always wanting more, and more, and more.
The paradox of this condition is that besides being in constant 'want' of the world, I was also never content with what I had at present.Then, I learned that the issue really lies in this concept of attributing happiness to the wrong stuff.
We've all heard the cliches; happiness is: witnessing a child's laughter; happiness is: a warm hug from a loved one; happiness is: watching the sun rise with a cup of hot cocoa and a flat screen TV. Er, maybe not the last one. Actually, though, maybe not any of them. Because while meaningful relationships and human experiences do make our hearts smile, happiness is an emotion to be nurtured and felt in independence. In it's truest form, it comes only from the inside and does not rely upon other people and events to survive. This is what is so hard to master because other things do make us happy temporarily. No doubt, time spent with a special friend is something to be glad about. But that friend will leave, and likely your gladness will, too. This is true of all things. All things must end.
So how does one get it? How does one rid themselves of petty thoughts and gloomy days? Through gratitude. It's funny. Most of us who are able to read this probably have a roof over our heads, sufficient food to eat and even internet-access. Yet few can say they take a conscious second to say thanks for all of that. So what of our breaths? Our eyes? Our hands? Is there any one that can say they really have nothing to be grateful for, if even being alive is a blessing?
Training oneself to be happy is much like losing weight. It takes self-control. One must exercise their mouth and mind with constant 'thank-yous' and not binge on complaining. Also, the diet of a happy person is filled with optimism and forward-thinking. Looking at the downside of things and wallowing on past losses is a strict prohibition. Best part of this diet: overeat all you want! You can never be grateful enough.
An old Eastern philosophy goes that the root of suffering is desire, so to eliminate suffering, one must first eliminate desire. Why? Because desires are timely, and so are the things that fulfill them. So if you want something, you'll either get it and be happy for a while or not get it and be miserable. If you get it, you'll eventually stop wanting it or it'll come to an end. It is necessary to want less, in order to be happy with less. To want less, learn to love what you have. Love and appreciate every last thing you can think of, for a grateful heart is a happy heart.
In the words of Leo Tolstoy, "If you want to be happy, be."
I was a long way into my life before I learned that the more I had, the more I wanted. Like a drink from salty seas, the desires of this world leave us parched and unfulfilled, always wanting more, and more, and more.
The paradox of this condition is that besides being in constant 'want' of the world, I was also never content with what I had at present.Then, I learned that the issue really lies in this concept of attributing happiness to the wrong stuff.
We've all heard the cliches; happiness is: witnessing a child's laughter; happiness is: a warm hug from a loved one; happiness is: watching the sun rise with a cup of hot cocoa and a flat screen TV. Er, maybe not the last one. Actually, though, maybe not any of them. Because while meaningful relationships and human experiences do make our hearts smile, happiness is an emotion to be nurtured and felt in independence. In it's truest form, it comes only from the inside and does not rely upon other people and events to survive. This is what is so hard to master because other things do make us happy temporarily. No doubt, time spent with a special friend is something to be glad about. But that friend will leave, and likely your gladness will, too. This is true of all things. All things must end.
So how does one get it? How does one rid themselves of petty thoughts and gloomy days? Through gratitude. It's funny. Most of us who are able to read this probably have a roof over our heads, sufficient food to eat and even internet-access. Yet few can say they take a conscious second to say thanks for all of that. So what of our breaths? Our eyes? Our hands? Is there any one that can say they really have nothing to be grateful for, if even being alive is a blessing?
Training oneself to be happy is much like losing weight. It takes self-control. One must exercise their mouth and mind with constant 'thank-yous' and not binge on complaining. Also, the diet of a happy person is filled with optimism and forward-thinking. Looking at the downside of things and wallowing on past losses is a strict prohibition. Best part of this diet: overeat all you want! You can never be grateful enough.
An old Eastern philosophy goes that the root of suffering is desire, so to eliminate suffering, one must first eliminate desire. Why? Because desires are timely, and so are the things that fulfill them. So if you want something, you'll either get it and be happy for a while or not get it and be miserable. If you get it, you'll eventually stop wanting it or it'll come to an end. It is necessary to want less, in order to be happy with less. To want less, learn to love what you have. Love and appreciate every last thing you can think of, for a grateful heart is a happy heart.
In the words of Leo Tolstoy, "If you want to be happy, be."
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