Life is to be lived happily not in fear and anxiety, nor in worry and uncertainty. Life certainly throws these things right at our face, but to live in fear, worry or anxiety is to live a life of dread with no enjoyment at all. I have learnt to live life my way, doing the things I believe in and doing them to the best of my ability. I am truly happy.
However, things have not always been this way. I have lived the major part of my life pleasing others, trying to make others happy and depending on their happiness and satisfaction to make me happy and satisfied. Pinning our happiness on others is the worst way to live our life. Our happiness is our own responsibility and we need to be accountable for our happiness. Happiness is never to be measured based on what others think or what others believe or expect of us.
When we worry about what others think or will say about us we squander our life away on the opinions of others. I used to be a person so afraid of people in authority, my teachers, my boss etc. I did everything to please them and it took me years to figure out that I can please no one. The more I did they more they expected of me and in the bargain I lost the joy of living, living it for people who didn't really matter in the long run.
Life is uncertain, thoughts of tomorrow could bring uncertainty and anxiety. No one has a blue print to life, we don't know what would happen the next minute. A friend of mine was driving back from work a decade ago and a branch of a tree on that avenue fell on his vehicle and he died on the way to the hospital. In the mortuary a miracle saved his life, call it near death experience or what you will. Did he expect to die that day? Not at all, he was a healthy, middle aged individual who had plans for his life. He has great expansion plans for his business and was building a three floor bungalow when this incident happened. The very direction of his life changed from that moment onward, his priorities changed, his business, his material wealth which were important to him then now became the least of his priorities.
Is there any point in worrying about the uncertainties of life? I guess not. There is nothing much we can do in that area. We can only believe in the best and stay prepared for the worst. I never thought I would get three heart attacks in one month, but I did. When I believed the worst was behind me a prolapsed disc ensued. You can never plan for such things.
All you can do is live the life you have and live it happily. Live each day as it comes. Do the things you believe in, do good to others and don't worry about what they think or how they react. If we worry about how others would respond to each thing we do we have written off our peace.
People respond to the action of others from their perspective of life. This is neither your perspective nor your reason to do the things you do. It is impossible to live within the framework of our others expectations. To say it simply we don't know the mind of others and what they think is their problem. When we have this clarity life becomes easier to live.
There are some people who think they can do what they want just to be happy, I don't subscribe to this line of thought. I believe we need to live within the guidelines of our beliefs and values. This way we would never have to feel guilty or battle with our conscience. There are times when we overstep our boundaries, all of us do. It is only right on our part to them to step back and fix the things that need to be fixed or make good for the pain /loss that was caused by our action/s. True repentance is the first step to permanent and positive change.
Happiness is just a frame of mind. It is purely within an individuals ability to remain happy. There are circumstances that make us sad, grieve us or make us angry, but it is important to move ahead. Life doesn't stop until we stop breathing and until such moment we need to carry on.
Happiness is within our power and this is despite the circumstances or situations that surround us. We can always find reason to be happy in life. If we look for happiness we'll find it, if we look for things to worry about we'll always find them in every nook and corner. Imagined fear and anxiety has the power to destroy our inner peace and happiness.
Face your problems when you come to them. Worry sucks your joy and drains out our energy. Let worry in and you are sure to be unhappy. All of us worry at times but there is a time to stop worrying and get on with life. Worry doesn't solve problems it only magnifies them and complicates them. So why worry?
Be happy. It's simple, do the things that bring you inner peace and tranquility. Do not let people or things which unduly disturb your peace take control over your life. Be the master of your emotions and do all that can be done in the situation you are in. Once you've done what needs to be done, be at peace. This is a habit that we need to cultivate. It is like any other habit. It's always hard in the beginning but gets easier with practice.
Remember everything is not within your control, especially people and their expectations, the future and what it could bring. Live today in peace and joy. Let tomorrow be, face it when it comes. Don't live your tomorrow today.
This is what life has taught me over the last 50 plus years of my life. I am so glad to say today I am truly happy today no matter what my circumstances are. I just wanted to share this here, maybe it could help someone.
Thanks for reading and supporting my work.
Image used in this post is mine.