Be Responsible For Your Own Happiness
By KrauseHome
@KrauseHome (36448)
United States
June 24, 2007 4:40am CST
We tend to look torward certain events for happiness. We're happy
When our new car arrives, or when we meet someone special. Vacations
Bring us happiness, as does recognition in the form of a pay raise or
Promotion.
That's the way most of us are. The problem is that new cars,
Vacations, and promotions come into our lives only sporadically. So
When we derive happiness mainly from such occurrences, it tends to be
An on-again off-again feeling.
But of course happiness need not be limited to specific events
Or "destinations." There are any number of things we can do to make
It a more continuous part of our lives. If we start out with the
Right attitude, for example, a job well done can bring happiness.
Setting new goals or simply being good to ourselves can also be
Pleasurable. And aren't we happy when we take time to be grateful?
Don't we feel good when we do something for someone else?
When we rely on our inner feelings and our actions for happiness, we
Find that it is with us on a more regular and consistent basis.
Happiness is more available to us when we take personal
Responsibility for it, rather than seek it in outside events.
Thought for today: BE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR OWN HAPPINESS
7 people like this
17 responses
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
24 Jun 07
This is almost funny - just last night another member and I were discussing this - being happy with yourself. Too many people go into relationships thinking the other person is going to make them happy - not so, if your not happy with yourself your not going to be happy with someone else either.
@pelo26 (1552)
• Philippines
24 Jun 07
That's nice. You know how that saying goes... Carpe Diem! Live for the day or Seize the Day... Although in reality its hard to do because of life's nasty little problems... It's good to be in control of your life. Don't let the little hazards bother you. Seek time to be happy and contented. Don't forget to thank the Lord for it. Cheers! happy Posting :) This now..., this moment... I am HAPPY.
2 people like this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
28 Jun 07
Great thoughts here. Yes, it is important in life to live for the day and to take Control of our life and be Happy. I always take time to Thank the Lord each day for what I have and what he has given me.
@tentwo67 (3382)
• United States
25 Jun 07
This is SO TRUE. It is definitely hard to remember sometimes, when you think things like, "That makes me so unhappy." It's not true. What makes you happy or unhappy is all within yourself.
In fact, it is a lesson we are trying to teach my son at this time, that he is responsible for his own feelings.
@joey_matthews (8354)
•
24 Jun 07
For sure.
I know what I can do to change my happiness and I am a grateful person.
I don't think always as simple as knowing this though, some find it hard to notice the simplest of things so it would be hard but sound advice though my friend.
~Joey
1 person likes this
@Windrunner (477)
• Pakistan
24 Jun 07
nice thought! krause, i am a muslim and actually my religion teaches me the same thing, to care about others to achieve real happiness. cause that's more lasting and more rewarding as well. thanks for the reminder anyway.
@LoovesAmethyst (351)
• Philippines
24 Jun 07
Interesting thought about happiness. Thank you for sharing about it. Sometimes, there are bad events that we could not prevent from happening, however, difficult it may be, it calls for a positive attitude.
@Willowlady (10658)
• United States
24 Jun 07
Tis true that you can choose to be happy. Agreed that some days it can be a difficult task. A change can be a good thing to jumpstart yourself from the doldrums. You can be a happy person despite what goes on around you. Life can be difficult and despite all that it throws at you a calm and peace with happiness can enable you to whether such a storm. I am indeed responsible for my own happiness. It makes be better for others when I do so.
@lecanis (16647)
• Murfreesboro, Tennessee
24 Jun 07
I really liked your post! I agree completely that everyone has to be responsible for their own happiness in this world. While it is wonderful when everything is going great, finding the happiness in darker times become a challenge, but is definitely worth the effort!
For me, even when many things are going wrong in my life like they are right now, I always look for something positive. Even if it's something tiny or seemingly insignificant, the more I focus on it, the more it leads me to other happy things.
@kelly60 (4547)
• United States
24 Jun 07
This is true, we should all be responsible for our own happiness, but a new car doesn't hurt :P
@ibsnet (1268)
• India
24 Jun 07
I want to say some word regarding happiness. It is just from my own experience and feelings.
Happiness is very short lived and it is such a feeling that one has to feel in the moment. A moment we can become happy, the other can be the saddest.
You see that if you buy a car, the day the car comes to your house it is a happy day. But can you say that the car may meet with an accident the next day or may its engine have some trouble the next day to get all your happiness to sad. And practically it happens sometime. So happiness is short lived.
Some small things in our life which we never thought, when it happens you become really happy. So this happiness is abrupt.
Happiness is thus a very turbulent feeling. Just preserve the happy moments to keep your heart happy. Obviously I support you feeling we should be responsible for our own happiness.
@raychill (6525)
• United States
24 Jun 07
There's always little things in life that make me happy. Listening to a good song on a cd in my car while driving to or from work or just somewhere else. Coming home to see my Handsome little cat anxiously awaiting for me when I come in the door. Eating a good meal or treating myself to something special.
Every morning when I wake up make cat makes me smile just a little. I do think you can buy happiness to an extent... like treating yourself to your favorite ice cream parlor once in a while or something. But to just have one little thing you're happy to see when you wake up every day is the thing that makes me happiest most.
I always try my hardest not to let others get me down, you can't always do it but I have my ways to get myself back in a better mood...
@rdougl (469)
• United States
25 Jun 07
Great topic. I guess it's hard for me to describe what true happiness is. I think it's a combination of all the above. Unfortunately Material things make me happy. My family makes me happy as well. Seeing what I've accomplished makes me happy as well. Then I take a step back and look at what others are dealing with. Their mistakes, hardships, loses, and mishaps. Just not having to go thru so much crap, and disappointment makes me happy as well. Happiness does have a bit to do with contentment. If it does not take much to make one happy, that person will be happy more than not.
@ElusiveButterfly (45939)
• United States
24 Jun 07
What a wonderful discussion! I too believe that we should be responsible for our own happiness. Every time I hear someone say they are having a bad day, I tell them that I have moments in each day that can be termed "bad", but thankfully there are more moments of happiness and good that make it better.
@GardenGerty (157840)
• United States
24 Jun 07
I am a big believer in the power of our own mind and our own spirit in making a good life. That is, I believe that love is a choice, and also that happiness is a choice. I think that Abraham Lincoln said that he was usually as happy as he made up his mind to be. There has been quite a bit said about keeping a happiness or gratitude journal, as it would also teach us the habit of those emotions, and will benefit immensely, as well as giving something concrete to review when we feel very downhearted. Yes, we do need to be responsible for our own happiness, whether it is in our work area or our recreation. As a Christian, I also believe that there is a spiritual component to happiness and contentment and that comes from Peace that God puts in our hearts.
@terri0824 (4991)
• United States
24 Jun 07
I totally agree. We can only achieve happiness through ourselves. We can not rely on anyone else to make us happy. If we aren't happy with ourselves, then we will not be able to find happiness anywhere else.
