- HubPages»
- Health»
- Mental Health»
- Emotions
Happiness Is a State of Mind
If you have been unhappy, you might be thinking by now that happiness is an illusion and you will never be happy. In a sense, you're right. Happiness fleeting and can never be permanently attained.
Are you scratching your head yet? You are probably wondering to yourself now, if this is true, if happiness is unattainable, then why does it seem like so many people are happy? Where does their happiness come from? Why are they so happy with life? The answer is simple.
They choose to be happy.
People who seem happy are that way because they choose to be happy. Happiness is a state of mind, rather than a state of being. The problem lots of people have is thinking that other people, things, or situations can create happiness for them. This couldn't be further from the truth.
Happiness is a personal choice.
The only time you will experience happiness is when you decide you want to be happy. When you decide to love your life and everything in it, you will naturally feel happy without even trying. Why? Because generally speaking, the less you worry yourself over the state of your happiness, the happier you feel.
In addition, the more you think about how unhappy you are and try to figure out ways to bring happiness back into your life, the more unhappy you will become. Try it and see. The more you focus on all the things that are making you miserable, the less you will be able to change your state of mind and decide to become happy.
You can choose to be happy...or not.
If happiness, then, is a personal choice, and you are so miserable you can't seem to be able to change the way you feel, it's time to regroup and take a step back. More often than not, when you are standing in the middle of a bad situation that has you down, it is much more challenging to rise above it and change the way you're thinking.
You have to decide within yourself that no matter what is going on around you, you can and will be happy. Make the choice to change your state of mind. Reframe your situation. Find something good or positive in it or in the future outcome. Set your mind only on those good things. If you have to, totally remove yourself from the situation that is causing you such grief. Step back and give yourself some breathing room.
You can choose to be happy.
This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.
© 2010 Hope Wilbanks