Happiness is internal & eternal
Do you ever have those days were things just aren't quite right? There isn't anything specifically wrong, but yet you just feel, well, blah. It's these moments when we have to realize that happiness is a choice. Happiness comes from inside and is a state of mind. Whenever I find myself feeling, meh, I try to find things that put smiles on my face. Momma raised this girl to "fake it 'til ya make it." Which really holds some powerful truth behind it. Even Maria sang about it in "My Favorite Things": I simply remember my favorite things, and then I don't feel, so bad!
So what makes you smile? What pushes your emotions back up to a place that you can be all you can be?
For me, happiness is my dog racing around the yard like the crazy wild child she is! Happiness is the annoyance fading to feelings of warmth when my cats just want to purr so loudly in my ear at night that I can't sleep. Make me work out, put me in nature - boom! Insta-mood-changer! But what do you turn to when you can't go outside, or the dog wanting to play endless fetch makes the annoyed and angry feelings start to escalate?
This past year, I have been very excited and proud to see my emotional foundation deepen as I become more proactive in my faith. Personally, I know that I have seen some amazing changes even just the last couple months as I have delved deeper into my Christian beliefs and roots. I felt compelled to come home and write this tonight after my weekly Bible study group. It's not that there was anything that spectacular or moving about tonight, but every week I have to fight myself to go, but then leave feeling so much better and ready to take on the world again. I believe in the Gospel, and as a Christian, I believe that God really is filling some voids in my life and helping me to always see that all I need is faith.
Now don't get me wrong. The past few months have held great disappointments when I didn't get the financial support to attend veterinary school. I lost my grandfather on my dad's side back in August, and then just a couple weeks ago lost my last remaining grandparent when my grandmother from my mom's side passed. You know what was amazing though? The funeral was on my birthday and it was truly the best birthday I have had, possibly ever! I got to spend the day reminiscing one of the most amazing women I have know, and spent the day with family that I haven't seen since my grandfather on that side died over eight years ago. Plus, even though I see them a little more often, I spent the day with my sister, my brother, his wife and my nephews that I love more than any being I have ever loved before! I'm currently T-11 days from walking across the stage and receiving my Masters degree. I don't have a job lined out yet, and with bills to pay am starting to get a little anxious. Yet, I know God will provide. It's through the darkest periods, when we don't have any reason to hope or believe, yet do, that God takes care of us. It's not easy, and it's a new fight every morning.
Maybe you are a Christian, maybe you are an atheist, or maybe you really don't take a stance on any of it. What I encourage you all though, is to take a chance to learn how to choose happiness. Whether you turn to religion, turn to a good cup of tea and a novel, or are still discovering what makes you tick, don't be afraid to chose happiness. And like my yogi says at the end of his session, Namaste, which means the beauty in me recognizes and bows to the beauty in you!
So what makes you smile? What pushes your emotions back up to a place that you can be all you can be?
For me, happiness is my dog racing around the yard like the crazy wild child she is! Happiness is the annoyance fading to feelings of warmth when my cats just want to purr so loudly in my ear at night that I can't sleep. Make me work out, put me in nature - boom! Insta-mood-changer! But what do you turn to when you can't go outside, or the dog wanting to play endless fetch makes the annoyed and angry feelings start to escalate?
This past year, I have been very excited and proud to see my emotional foundation deepen as I become more proactive in my faith. Personally, I know that I have seen some amazing changes even just the last couple months as I have delved deeper into my Christian beliefs and roots. I felt compelled to come home and write this tonight after my weekly Bible study group. It's not that there was anything that spectacular or moving about tonight, but every week I have to fight myself to go, but then leave feeling so much better and ready to take on the world again. I believe in the Gospel, and as a Christian, I believe that God really is filling some voids in my life and helping me to always see that all I need is faith.
Now don't get me wrong. The past few months have held great disappointments when I didn't get the financial support to attend veterinary school. I lost my grandfather on my dad's side back in August, and then just a couple weeks ago lost my last remaining grandparent when my grandmother from my mom's side passed. You know what was amazing though? The funeral was on my birthday and it was truly the best birthday I have had, possibly ever! I got to spend the day reminiscing one of the most amazing women I have know, and spent the day with family that I haven't seen since my grandfather on that side died over eight years ago. Plus, even though I see them a little more often, I spent the day with my sister, my brother, his wife and my nephews that I love more than any being I have ever loved before! I'm currently T-11 days from walking across the stage and receiving my Masters degree. I don't have a job lined out yet, and with bills to pay am starting to get a little anxious. Yet, I know God will provide. It's through the darkest periods, when we don't have any reason to hope or believe, yet do, that God takes care of us. It's not easy, and it's a new fight every morning.
Maybe you are a Christian, maybe you are an atheist, or maybe you really don't take a stance on any of it. What I encourage you all though, is to take a chance to learn how to choose happiness. Whether you turn to religion, turn to a good cup of tea and a novel, or are still discovering what makes you tick, don't be afraid to chose happiness. And like my yogi says at the end of his session, Namaste, which means the beauty in me recognizes and bows to the beauty in you!
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