Don�t Be Afraid To Be Happy

In every moment there is an abundance of emotion. In every moment there is an abundance of choices to be made regarding those emotions.

To be happy is as simple as finding the �something� in that moment that is worth celebrating. Yes, there are moments when there is little to celebrate: the fist smashing against the cheekbone; the bullet ripping through the gut; the fall from the bicycle; the farewell of a dying loved one. Yes, sometimes there is no happiness, no laughter, no celebration in a moment.

That is why it is important that in the OTHER moments something worthy be found! Otherwise there is the risk that the bad moments gain full and gruesome exposure, and the happy moments are put off, ignored and passed by so that they are few. And in the middle are many many gray indifferent moments.

The �happy� moments passed because no one took the time to reveal them.

How do you attain happiness whilst washing the dishes; cleaning the floors; scrubbing the walls? You just CHOOSE it! Can you imagine sitting out on the balcony watching a sunrise and NOT thinking �this is so beautiful�? Can you imagine that first sip of tea and NOT thinking, �ahhhh, this is just perfect�? Can you imagine watching your child play and NOT thinking �you are SO beautiful...my child you take my breath away�?�

Happiness is, however, something that you can also ignore and place in the �unimportant bin�. You decide that tasks must be rushed through and so you do not allow yourself to experience happiness in those moments. You limit happiness to specific prescribed activities or occasions. Why? Why decide that happiness is a luxury you do not deserve?

And why do you decide that you should not appear to be too happy too often?

I know that sometimes people are concerned that if they appear too happy then other people will think they do not take their job, their situation, their life circumstances seriously, or that they do not care about another person�s problems. And so they deliberately limit their �happiness moments� to appease other people.

How unfair it is to yourself to live this way. You deserve to be happy. If another person cannot accept that you are happy, and feel that you should wallow in misery and wail at the world, then that is THEIR issue to deal with, and in reality, you do not help them when you allow them to dictate �through their issue�. It would be better for you to show them that happiness is found in EVERY moment--when one just makes the choice to see it and know it.

When a loved one dies, those left behind feel that they will never be happy again. I understand. But I ask that they remember the person with love and know they are not lost, they are merely no longer in that physical body. They are as alive and vital as they ever were, more so in fact. They do not disappear never to return. They are often present, and often laughing in the room with their loved ones. They laugh, they rejoice, they observe. They are not lost. And so, when the grief has passed, allow yourself to feel their love for you and allow yourself to feel your love for them.

No one dies.

No one ceases to be.

Celebrate the people in your life, their laughter, their sense of humour, their presence.

THIS moment is all there is. Be fully present in THIS moment. Take a moment at the end of the day. Close your eyes and still your thoughts. Just BE. Just EXIST in that moment. That is contentment.

If you cannot step straight into finding happiness in every moment, begin with finding contentment in your moments. And when you have embraced that you will find it easier to embrace happiness.

Happiness exists in EVERY moment. All you need do is sense it. It is not a crime to be happy! It is not a crime to laugh at a bird flying across the sky. It is not a crime to feel happiness and calmness within when the world seems to be in chaos.

When you are happy you lighten your Beingness, and you also lighten the Beingness of people around you. You assist them in feeling happier and more contented. What a wonderful gift to give someone!

Heavy emotions weigh you down and pull you down. Lighter emotions lift you up. And the presence of those emotions in your life is not haphazard, it is not something that is controlled by other people. It is something YOU choose. It is something YOU control. But NEVER at the expense of another person. You cannot say �if YOU do this I will be happy�. It does not work that way. Your happiness is not controlled by outside forces or other people. It is you and your own choices that decide whether you will find happiness in that moment or not.

To be happy on the inside is not only better for you mentally, but also physically and emotionally, and the effect that ripples from you is of great benefit to those around you.

What is the best thing you can give to your loved ones? Teach them to find happiness in everything, teach them to NOT postpone happiness. Teach them to fully experience life. Teach them by example.

For too long people have allowed themselves to be tossed this way and that by the emotional waves of humanity. It is time to make your own choice for happiness, love and for calmness, and to accept that as YOUR responsibility.

Do not be afraid to be happy.

By Robin M Speed