Authentic Happiness Despite Outside Circumstances
Authentic Happiness Despite Outside Circumstances
Authentic happiness does exist, even when we are in the midst of crisis. There are ways to be happy in life and increase your personal growth and development even if all hope seems lost. For most of us finding happiness comes naturally during times of ease, prosperity and security. It makes sense to be happy and enjoy personal fulfillment when we are able to live a carefree life. However, if you are like so many people these days, life is far from carefree. The global economic crisis has birthed a sense of insecurity, doubt and restlessness in a great majority of homes. This feeling of uncertainty permeates entire communities threatening to take charge and rob people of their joy, confidence and comfort.
I can personally relate to this. For a period of five months my family dealt with a great hardship. Every day was been a challenge not knowing what the future might bring. Giving in to despair and doubt was a daily temptation because the sense of security we had come to rely on was no longer there. And yet, I had never known more peace or been happier than during those months. How was this possible? Let me explain.
Authentic happiness and personal fulfillment come from within. Yes, when everything on the outside is going your way it is easier to be happy. However, it is very possible to be happy even when everything seems to be working against you too. How? Through your choice to be happy. You decide exactly how you will respond to every turn in your life, big or small. When I was first faced with our difficult news I had a choice to either despair or to trust. In the past I would have despaired, for this type of hardship would condone despair. And yet, I decided to try another avenue, one of complete faith and trust that everything would work out splendidly. I had no idea how it would, every single door was closed, every opportunity vanished, and all appeared to be hopeless. But I knew my current reality need not remain in this dreadful state. So I chose to trust all would be well and I immediately began giving thanks for this outcome.
To make a long story short, nearly five months whole passed with no sign of any change. Nothing, not even one glimmer of hope. Those around worried, a lot. I chose to remain positive and every time a thought of worry or doubt crept in to my mind I would immediately replace it with a quick prayer of gratitude for my happy solution (still not having the slightest idea what it was). This was challenging, I desperately wanted to give in to my fear at times, but I held fast knowing, trusting in my gut that a solution would present itself. This was an exercise of the mind, of the will, of the heart and even of the body (since our bodies react to stress). For support I used meditation daily, I read inspiring books and I listened to audios of instructors all teaching on the power we have as human beings. I forced myself to remain in a constant state of inspiration, hope and authentic happiness.
During this time I also started working on a huge personal project, a project that yes required a lot of work, but that also brought me a tremendous amount of joy and personal fulfillment. By engaging in a task that offers personal gratification I helped to maintain my sense of authentic happiness.
Five months to the date of first receiving our terrible news a solution presented itself. Literally from one day to the next the problem was resolved and not only did we survive the time of hardship and uncertainty but we thrived through it. I feel like a more grounded, mature and peaceful person because of my determination to maintain authentic happiness despite the outward circumstances.
To sum up, know that there is always a choice to our responses. We can choose despair or we can choose faith. Despair encourages stress, anger and worry. None of these will help your situation. Faith encourages hope and peace. Both of these will help to relax your body, minimize stress, and cultivate a deep sense of self-confidence.
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