With Pharell's hit song "Happy" inadvertantly drifting to my ears more often than one would think, I've taken to philosiphizing about happiness. Sitting in the car, walking around the grocery store or trying to get some work done have all found me contemplating the meaning of true happiness.
In other words, I've been thinking. And that can be dangerous.
This time, though, I don't think that anyone is at risk of death or having to put the toilet seat back down for the hundredth time just because of my thoughts. But I have made a few observations.
The dictionary's definition of happy is: "delighted, pleased, or glad, as over a particular thing." Well, when we're putting that toilet seat back down for our annoying little brother or screwing the top of the milk jug back on again, we probably aren't very happy. On a more serious note, having to deal with sickness and disease or struggling through tough finances also doesn't evoke happiness. By its very definition, we cannot have happiness if a particular event or thing does not allow it.
Unfortunately, too many people allow roadblocks such as these to dictate their lives into a perpetual state of negativity. Contrary to popular belief, however, this is not necessary. There comes a point where we have to get past things of this life and consciously decide to take on joy. Sure, we might wake up sore from an intense workout or have to throw away some flowers that were supposed to last at least a month, but we have joy.
The dictionary's definition of joy is: "the expression or display of glad feeling." Notice how joy doesn't hinge on everyday occurrences. Joy comes when we decide to let it in, and stays when we press through difficulties with optimism.
I'm neither a half-full nor a half-empty person, but I know that with life, the water level in that glass can fluctuate between one drop and overflowing. That's not what I want to let control my lifestyle. With joy, I know that it could be anywhere in-between, and that's just fine.
In other words, I've been thinking. And that can be dangerous.
This time, though, I don't think that anyone is at risk of death or having to put the toilet seat back down for the hundredth time just because of my thoughts. But I have made a few observations.
The dictionary's definition of happy is: "delighted, pleased, or glad, as over a particular thing." Well, when we're putting that toilet seat back down for our annoying little brother or screwing the top of the milk jug back on again, we probably aren't very happy. On a more serious note, having to deal with sickness and disease or struggling through tough finances also doesn't evoke happiness. By its very definition, we cannot have happiness if a particular event or thing does not allow it.
Unfortunately, too many people allow roadblocks such as these to dictate their lives into a perpetual state of negativity. Contrary to popular belief, however, this is not necessary. There comes a point where we have to get past things of this life and consciously decide to take on joy. Sure, we might wake up sore from an intense workout or have to throw away some flowers that were supposed to last at least a month, but we have joy.
The dictionary's definition of joy is: "the expression or display of glad feeling." Notice how joy doesn't hinge on everyday occurrences. Joy comes when we decide to let it in, and stays when we press through difficulties with optimism.
I'm neither a half-full nor a half-empty person, but I know that with life, the water level in that glass can fluctuate between one drop and overflowing. That's not what I want to let control my lifestyle. With joy, I know that it could be anywhere in-between, and that's just fine.