Why Happiness Isn’t What You Think It Is

We all also know by now that those movies with their dreamy endings and perfect plotlines in no way resemble real life. As we’re up to our elbows in the mess that is day-to-day living, it is easy—and normal—to wonder where our happy is.

We’ve been conditioned to expect the charismatic characters, the sudden realizations, and the dramatic plot twists that often embody happiness in fiction. But real life is quiet. We work, we spend time with our families, we invest in friendships, and sometimes in the middle of the night we wonder, “Am I happy?”

Happiness isn’t a place we get to. It’s less “firework show” and more “peaceful knowledge.” What we don’t see in fiction is that happiness is almost always accompanied by its two companions, contentment and gratitude. These three things fit together in ways that make them inseparable. We cannot have one without the other.

The world is unpredictable. One thing we can know for sure is that there will be both good and hard times. Happiness, then, cannot be dependent on what is happening around us. Instead, it must be a product of our internal process.

If our internal process is lacking either gratitude or contentment, happiness will be fleeting and unpredictable at best. The good news is that both of these vital pieces are like muscles—they can be developed with time and dedicated practice. If you’re not happy today, you won’t be happy with the beach house, perfect job, or ideal partner.

So, be bold in asking yourself today, “Am I happy?” If the answer is no, there are ways to find that happiness, and they almost never mirror what we see in movies. Instead, it involves digging deep into yourself, finding the negative thought patterns, and building your happiness from within.

If you’re ready to begin, contact me today for your free 30 minute consultation and join the positive, supportive community on Facebook at Shine on Purpose. It’s never too late to discover deep and lasting happiness.