Many people are motivated to create a better life for themselves, but that often means that they always search for the next best thing or the key to a better life, never achieving happiness. True happiness comes when you stop looking for it. It will seep into your life, gradually changing your mood from sad to content and then to happy.
But how can you get from being sad to being content, and then, eventually, being happy?
Let me tell you the way how not to do it first. It’s simple. What I just described is the key to a better life and what you shouldn’t do. When you keep trying to get something better (i.e. a higher-paying job, a bigger car), then you forget to enjoy what you already have. What would normally bring you pleasure, will bring you down, because you won’t be able to appreciate it.
So, how can you do it? By wanting enough, not more.
Okay, you might be saying right now that it’s rubbish, that if you never progress, you won’t grow and be happy. That if you don’t want more, you won’t have a reason to live and carry on. You might even feel like right now, you have nothing. But please hear me out.
I’m not saying you should get rid of your goals, no. All I’m saying is that admiring something that you don’t have will only make you frustrated, especially if that’s all you are doing. Just think about it for a second. You bought a car a year ago, because you wanted it so much. Now you want another one equally badly. If you get it, you will want another one, trapping you in discontentment. You will never be happy, because you won’t appreciate what you have right now. There was a time when you wanted it, but did you only want it, because it was out of your reach? And did you stop wanting it as soon as you achieved it?
Well, that might be the problem. Because, you see, you already had plenty of opportunities to be happy. There needs to be a middle ground here. You can still want the next best thing, but in order to achieve true contentment that will eventually lead to happiness, you need to realize that you have enough right now. You don’t need more.
“Think of what you have rather than of what you lack. Of the things you have, select the best and then reflect how eagerly you would have sought them if you did not have them.” – Marcus Aurelius (121-180)
This motivational quote teaches us that we have a lot to be grateful for, a lot to appreciate, even now. There is life itself for a start. We should appreciate and be grateful for our friends, family, and everything that is naturally in front of us. We just have to open our eyes and look at things in a different way. Have you ever thought about writing a list down of all the things you are grateful for?
We take many things for granted, yet we would miss them, if they weren’t around anymore. And that includes people, events, notions. Even a cute cat rubbing up against your leg, purring, or your friend waving hello. There is lots of beauty in nature, but we take that for granted, too. Shouldn’t we appreciate it all instead?
“Whether in favor or in humiliation, be not dismayed. Let your eyes leisurely look at the flowers blooming and falling in your courtyard. Whether you leave or retain your position, take no care. Let your mind wander with the clouds folding and unfolding beyond the horizon.” – Hung Tzu-ch’eng (1593-1665)
I had to share these words with you, because they carry so much meaning. I want you to be inspired and motivated to take charge of your own happiness. But you need to act quickly. You have wasted enough time being sad already. Time is precious. Your time is precious.
Happiness is all around us, and can be achieved easily. All you need to do is appreciate yourself, others and what you have, instead of constantly worrying about the things you lack. You have to find your own key to a better life and you will see that in time, happiness will come easily.
Also read about The Advent Of The New “US”.
