sapientbreeze

Perhaps you have heard others say that happiness is available in every moment. Perhaps you have heard that happiness is available to anyone regardless of circumstances. To see the truth in this, the common conception of happiness must be released.

True Happiness is about acceptance of, and harmony with, the world as it is known to you. This acceptance is not complacency, and requires real work to achieve. The sense of harmony: you know and accept your place in the world.

There are more paths to happiness than there are stars in the sky… Imagine a craftsman, one who has mastered his craft, and found a community that reveres him for it. He works hard every day, and finds happiness… not in the beautiful work, nor the praise of his township. The happiness comes from pouring himself into his work, giving his all for the sake of a job well done.

When you are truly present with the process of your life, the outcomes are irrelevant. This concept applies to everyone and everything… caring for children, working a desk job, studying for an exam. How often have you approached tasks as something that deserves only a fraction of your attention or effort? Try this: pour as much of yourself into everything you do. Focus on every move. Can you improve this process? Don’t worry about if the outcome is improving, focus on being as involved as possible, and outcomes will follow. Any master of anything lives this truth.

The greatest miscomprehension is that we strive for outcomes that will make us happy. Make more money, buy bigger houses, have more things, and perhaps retire with enough money to travel the world. This is the lie. There is no happiness in retreat from one’s path. Should you be fortunate enough to retire with energy to spare, you will find no happiness in idle self indulgence. Reflect on times before work and responsibilities and the truth will be plain for you to see.

But happiness how? Honest self reflection is required… if you know in your bones that you are unhappy, then an uncomfortable truth is likely sitting in your soul. Be brave, and sit with that misery. Finding one’s true purpose is another endeavor that can take a lifetime, especially in the modern era.

For now, some advice for the lost… those who know no happiness in their current lives. Seek opportunities to help others. Use whatever talents or capabilities you possess, and bring light to some place dark. If you truly cannot… take responsibility for yourself first. Stop sitting there, reading the work of others. Go to bed early, and wake up with the sun. Get out there and run, or walk, or stretch… get doing anything. This darkness, it will pass… but you must survive it, and you must crawl out of its depths. The more this resonates with you, the more you need real change in your life. So do something… keep going, and don’t look back.