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Last time I was at the books store I saw a BUNCH of books on creating happiness.
It made me wonder if the “happiness” market is already saturated. I’m not sure if I have anything new I can bring to it (I’m not really a happiness expert after all, just curious.)
In the past I haven’t put forth a tremendous amount of effort to be happy so in this blog I am making that effort to both learn and share what I’ve learned in hopes that I can bring joy to the world. Christmas in July anyone?!
The idea that we can create and control the circumstances that make us happy is what I want this blog to be about. Our journey together will not concern the instant gratification type of happiness, because that doesn’t work. Instead, I hope to share with you a collection of methods that have a deeply meaningful and profound effect on your life. And mine of course 🙂
Perhaps Voltair said it best
Luck is a word devoid of sense, nothing can exist without a cause.
This blog is all about intentionally causing our own happiness. I hope to inspire you to look at the world with new eyes and encourage you to look at struggle not as difficulty, but rather that the method you are using is not the right one. If it was, you would be happy. You just need a new approach. Easier said than done right!
Of course, I hope to be inspired too by my findings. And if no one ever reads these posts I will still gain from them so it’s OK.
If you know any deep truths that have helped manifest happiness in your life I hope you will share them in the comments section. This also helps me know that I’m not writing into a big internet void, which brings me happiness (but probably not the right kind because your response isn’t in my control.)
Just like learning to ride a bike, create a blog, or be a parent, happiness is a learned skill.
Einstein said
Nothing happens until something moves.
In other words, action is required. So… I’m thinking that I may start creating little homework assignments for myself and for whoever wants to play along so we can share our experiences as we learn new methods in bringing happiness more fully into our lives. I hope you will play along.
First assignment:
Notice when you feel stress, struggle, or conflict. Ask yourself if there is a better way to do things or think about things than what you are currently doing or thinking. Look for areas in your own life where you suffer needlessly.
Share your response below.
Related articles
- Happiness is A Feeling that You Have to Bless Yourself With (aisjournal.com)
Mission Possbility: JOY! 
LOVE the idea of doing assignments. I’m in! Re: suffering and stress – I just learned at church that even our bad things can be a blessing because God will create goodness out of bad things. My illness is a perfect example of that. So, while I’m suffering in my brain relating to the stress of an issue, I need to focus on the blessings in the situation, rather than breaking down each little negative! I’ll work on that and get back to you. I especially need it dealing with family right now! Thank you for this blessed assignment….it’s 4:45am and I’m in loads of pain but by visiting your blog, I’m reducing my stress over it and now recognizing that I can make a difference in my thinking…even in this VERY MOMENT! Bless you, Isabelle! Thank you!!
Did my comment go through??? WordPress can be annoying apparently!!
GTT, Thank you for your comment.
Yes, good can come out of bad. It’s all about how we frame the situation in our mind. That can be hard to do at 4:45 in the morning so I am very proud of you.
My first application of this assignment came about an hour after yours when Brandon woke up to go to work. I don’t have to be up until my boss, that would be GG, calls me so ideally I’d go back to sleep. But NOOOOO My mind puts me into a whirl wind of stress and struggle thinking about how I hope Grace won’t wake up soon so I can go back to sleep. It was a challenge to remind myself that the conflict was in my own mind. She wasn’t even awake yet and I was getting all anxious anticipating her waking up. I still have work to do in this area I guess. 🙂
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