Welcome to week 8’s positivity focus. Last week we embraced the idea that what other people think about us, is none of our business! And this, in fairness, is quite liberating! Living our lives without trying to shape ourselves into who we think we need to be to gain approval is truly freeing!
A close friend to this concept is the idea that happiness comes from within you, not from other people. Last week I shared this quote…
So last week we focused on ourselves and positivity rather than on what others think about us and letting what others think dictate what we do and how we feel.
This week I want us to keep focusing on the idea that your happiness is an inside job, it comes from within you and that no person or possession can make you happy or take away from your happiness.
Happiness is a Personal Thing
Happiness is a personal thing – it has everything to do with you and nothing to do with others. The media likes to sell us the idea of the perfect couple, the ideal partners who make each other happy. And that we gain happiness from external things like a fab new car or jewelry or something shiny.
Well, that’s not true. It’s a way of selling to us. Sure a person or new toy might make us feel good or excited but this feeling is short lived. And it’s not happiness. This is excitement or joy. Which is nice don’t get me wrong but a relationship or material items aren’t going to bring us happiness.
Happiness comes from within us, from a contentment with yourself. Happiness comes from how we feel within.
Forget about Pursuing Happiness
The concept of “the pursuit of happiness” tells us that happiness is out there somewhere to be found. So we need to look for it, and when we find it, then we will be happy.
Under this idea, happiness is something we can find outside of ourselves – if we search hard enough. This puts a lot of pressure on ourselves to find this elusive happiness. And it might make people feel like they are failing at finding happiness because they don’t have something that they want like a house, ideal job or partner.
The pursuit of happiness concept feeds the idea that if something happens, then we will be happy.
But do you know what? It never works – we might find some excitement or joy from achieving what we think will bring us happiness but it doesn’t last, it’s not true happiness.
So forget about pursuing happiness – it is not out there to be found. Happiness can come from within you so that’s where we need to focus – inside yourself.
Your Happiness is Your Responsibility
We shouldn’t blame others for not making us happy. Happiness is your responsibility, alone. We each have to figure out how to take things that happen in life and make the best out of the situation. To look to the positive and to be happy.
To me, happiness is inner peace. It’s being content in each moment. It’s in embracing the moment we are in. Happiness is staying in the positive. Happiness like positivity is there moment by moment. Make the choice to look to the positive, stay in the present and to embrace that moment like you chose it.
Sometimes things happen that aren’t nice things. We have to process them, learn and move on. Release, forgive and carry on with our lives.
It’s in this kind of living that we feel happiness. By being grateful for each moment that we have, we find happiness within. It’s not by being happy that we are grateful but it’s the other way around. When we are grateful for each moment and for what we have right now, that’s when we find happiness!
Happiness Lives in The Present Moment
If we are in the pursuit of happiness and searching for it, then we are skipping the moment we are in right now. This feeling robs us of enjoying the moment we are in because we are constantly on the lookout for something better, something that is going to make us happy. And we miss what’s happening now, we miss the opportunity to be happy, now!
By being grateful for what we have – right now and by staying present in the moment we are in, and loving ourselves for who we are, we find happiness within ourselves.
So for this week let’s focus on that happiness that comes from within. Recognize that we won’t find happiness floating around somewhere. Let that idea go. Feel gratitude and be present in each moment and feel that happiness within.
I have quotes focusing on this weeks theme, so follow Cuddle Fairy below for your daily dose of positivity. x
This is a really interesting concept, and one that I don’t think about enough. I think we’re all so busy being caught with our daily lives that we see happiness as coming from something or someone, when actually it’s our own responsibility #bloggerclubUK
Ya that’s it. I think most of us are searching or looking to find happiness not realizing we can have it right now, from within because it’s not out there to be found. x
Hi, I am really enjoying this series and the way it gets you to rethink about how we look at the world and perceive ourselves. After reading this the bit that I shall remember is that happiness is an inside job #bloggerclubuk
I’m so glad you are enjoying the series 🙂 It’s an easy quote to remember, especially when we start to forget 🙂 x
I love these. I really do think that gratitude for what you have in your life is a great step in the right direction for appreciation and happiness. #BloggerClubUK
I think so too. I’m going to have a week to just focus on gratefulness 🙂
I love the quote “happiness is a mood, not a destination” even if sometimes I don’t always follow it. #fortheloveofblog
Oh I love that – sums it up perfectly!!
This has been on my mind for some time and now I am 40 I have acted on it… and being me
Well done Sarah that’s great!!! xx
I love having a positive mindset and one of the ways I do this is by reading positive quotes. My favourite is “Happiness is an inside job. Don’t assign anyone else that much power over you.” This was something I learned a long time ago and it’s the best thing ever. #bloggerclubuk
I think happiness is being comfortable in your own skin. Not an easy task but when you reach that point you have such freedom. Great post. #bloggerclubUK
Love all the quotes. For me happiness is a choice. We are in charge of how we want to feel. Love this post.
#bloggerclubUK
Your happiness is your responsibility is such a great quote. Equally, we are not responsible for another persons happiness. #bloggerclubuk
I do like the idea of ownership of your own happiness, feels like you more control and choice of how you feel X #bloggerclubuk
Love this! When people talk about the “pursuit of happiness”, it always bothers me…where are you going to pursue this? Who is out there and in charge of your happiness? This is a fabulous reminder and I hope it turns a lot of people’s mind on the side so they realize they’re the ones holding themselves back. I tend to be a negative Nancy about most situations, but my goal this year is to work on my positivity and therefore my happiness. Fabulous post!
#BloggerClubUK
Reclaim the power: don’t give anyone else the right to decide our happiness. Release yes, forgive, hmmm! #BlogClubUK
I so needed this. I’m really struggling with my emotions in my day job right now, taking comments from others to heart etc.
You are so right, I’m going to really try to change my mindset this week #BloggerClubUK
I have been working on my positivity this year and so this is great to read and help me remain focused on my inner positivity #bloggerclubuk
I think happiness comes from acceptance of what you’ve been given in life, dealing with the problems, overcoming difficulties and knowing you’ve tried your best. It isn’t easy or an entitlement #bloggerclubuk
So true that we need to look inside for the happiness sometimes and a gratitude journal usually helps a lot with this #bloggerclubuk