Don't worry, Be happy

Facing big life decisions is difficult, but in thinking about it... Why does it have to be? Throughout our lives we do what we can to make sure that we are happy. If we are not achieving personal happiness then I feel most other things in life begin to suffer. I had a friend recently ask me, "What would you do if there were no consequences?" This question really struck a chord. I often ask people what they would do with their lives if money were no object. And I feel this is an important question to consider as well. While money is an object, happiness is a way of life. It seems like we take many things as they come and just accept it as "life". Some things are out of our control, but not everything needs to be dismissed. If we were forced into a situation that we didn't want to be in, we would not allow it to continue very long. So why do we accept some situations? Why do we stay in dead end jobs that we don't enjoy, or stay in relationships that can be unhealthy? What is it in us that makes these situations seem acceptable to stay in, but in other uncomfortable situations we find a way out? If you look at your life and can say, "Yes I am happy" then things are going well. But if you look at your life and think, "I wish this were different" then why wouldn't you change that? Taking a hard look at one's life, without justifying your circumstance or pretending to be happy, can be a big eye opener for a lot of people. Don't allow yourself to feel stuck. Don't accept situations you don't want to be in. If it affects others make sure you keep them in mind and be respectful, but don't put others' happiness before your own because nine times out of ten, they aren't doing that.

If we do not achieve complete personal happiness, other happiness' will falter and perhaps fail. I feel that it is so important to make sure we are doing all that we can to make ourselves happy. If there is something that you want, get it. If there is something you want to do, do it. If there is somewhere you want to go, go there! Don't let anything stand in your way, because it won't go away, and denying yourself true happiness is no way to live. What I mean by true happiness is, not falsified happiness. Not superficial fixes to a bad situation, or self medication to numb the pain of defeat. True happiness is the raw and real happiness that only we can create and give to ourselves. Allow yourself that, and all other things will just fall into place. So think to yourself, "What would I do if there was no consequence?" If you can answer that, good! If you can get yourself as close to it as possible, even better!