The Happiness Factor

by Laurie Mazzarella

I have been thinking a lot about happiness lately. I have been wondering if we bring happiness to our lives or do our lives bring us happiness. I always hear things like “happiness comes from within” and we “pursue happiness”. However, I have never really thought about the concept of happiness and whether I am happy because of how my life is going (or not) or whether I am happy and my life is enhanced by my happiness. At least, not in the depth that I have lately.

If I am happy regardless of my life experience, I have wondered why I would want my experiences to be a certain way. Do I think that certain circumstances can make me happy if I am not already happy? In my pursuit of the meaning of happiness, I decided to look up the definition of happiness. I typed in a search of the word “happy” on Dictionary. com. What came up were words like contentment, satisfaction, willing, pleased, delighted, joyful and others.

In light of this, I decided that happiness is something that we have inside of us as an attitude (or not). If we do not have this basic satisfaction within ourselves, I don’t think anything is going to satisfy us from the outside. However, I am inclined to believe that our lives become more satisfying to us no matter what we are doing if we have a happy, contented attitude. It seems when I am content, my life enhances me. And, vice versa. Happiness seems to be a choice I have to make daily. I need to choose happiness as an inner attitude regardless of how I am experiencing my circumstances.

As a coach, I teach people how to live their dreams, take risks and match the inner essence of their soul to their work and lives. However, I have noticed that with some clients, it is vital to work on an attitude of happiness before they can proceed to live their dreams with any satisfaction. Because we are constantly surrounded by television and radio advertisements telling us how we can attain happiness in one way or another, I think that this is a topic we all need to evaluate in our lives. What is true happiness for each one of us? I would love to hear your thoughts. What is your happiness factor? How do you measure your happiness? Let’s share.

Laurie Mazzarella is a Strategic Coach for Holistic Businesses with Inspiration, Inc. Her goal is to assist you in being well and successful personally and professionally. She can be reached at (800) 507-1620 X4 or click here to schedule a free consultation.

Comments

[arline jernigan]

I have to say, that I am very happy in my life, even though I have just come out of a dark spot.

For a couple of months I was in a funk funk funk, BUT despite that, I am at a point in my life, when even the dark times are brighter than those in my past, and I can find joy in the process.

I think that part of being happy comes from really taking responsibility for your life. What I mean by this, is that there is no one to blame for your life circumstances, good or bad. We have choice, and that is a gift. I talked about this not to long ago in my journal.

Another thing that is sure to cause happiness is to be fully present, and grateful for the things that are given in this life. Everything is a potential lesson, and it is how we choose to see and deal with it.

I know that for myself, I often think that I should be further along on my path somehow, and should not let the minutiae of life bring me down, or fall into old patterns, but this serves no one, and it is unrealistic. Life will give us challenges, so that we can drop to our knees, and find the spirit with in, and to connect with it. We simply forget what is real sometimes, and when we forget, we feel separate and alone, which causes suffering.

One of the things I attempt to convey as a yoga teacher, is to be content where ever you are, and whether you deem it positive or negative is irrelevant, it just is... The sanskrit word for this is santosha.

We really must accept where we are and who we are, and follow this up with compassion for our selves, then growth and transformation can happen. This will spill over to others and spread energetically shifting the cosmic energy.

To me, this is a recipe for happiness that is truly profound.

I appreciate this entry.

HUG

[Laurie Mazzarella]

Great insight, Arline! Thanks so much for sharing. I agree that we are the ones who choose how we assimilate our experiences no matter how we judge them. Happiness is our choice (or not). I am so glad to hear that you are sharing your insights with your clients.

[Michelle]

Very thought provoking post Laurie. There is a great book called "Happiness-The Real Medicine and How It Works" by Blair Lewis that speaks to this very topic and ties happiness to our health. Very good book. I think I'll read it again.

[Laurie Mazzarella]

Thanks, Michelle. I think I will get that book! Just like laughter, how could happiness be anything but real medicine?

[Jaya Savannah]

Arline: Thanks for the word "santosha." Not only do I like the meaning, but I like the way it sounds. I'll meditate on it.

[Ethan Meadow]

Laurie thanks for the information on Blair Lewis' book. I've also experienced that tie in with Laurie thanks for the information on Blair Lewis' book. I've also experienced that tie in with Marci Shimoff author of Happy for No Reason http://www.happyfornoreason.com/Products/HappyBook and of the "Chicken Soup" series and "The Secret" noteriety. Might be worth your time. and of the "Chicken Soup" series and "The Secret" noteriety. Might be worth your time.