Setting the happiness machine in motion, one cog at a time

You know, people always say you can’t feel happy all the time. I mean I know this from personal experience too. But - why not? Why can’t I? I want to feel happy all the time!! I guess throwing a tantrum won’t lead me there… But I guess it’s not a tantrum so much as a non-acceptence that this isn’t so. Or I wish for it desperately not to be so. I think we all do.

On one level I accept it. On one level. Which level is that? The level where I need to accept things so that I can function in everyday society. The level where I need to say to myself “actually, that’s totally normal” – because it is. But also because I think I’d go running and screaming naked down a main hi-way if not (not that everyone would be opposed to this I’d say but I don’t really relish the thought just quietly…)

What level don’t I believe it? On a hope level. The level that keeps us all going. The level that pushes us further and further and beyond where we thought we would reach. You know, I started the day with energy. And now that energy is gone. Did I expend it? Or did it get sapped from me? Did I emotionally drain myself?

Maybe a bit of both.

I think when we can’t accept things in life are the times our lives are in turmoil. I think it’s also the thing that instigates change in the world. I think the times of acceptance are times in our lives when we feel peace. Whether it is a peace of figuring something out we didn’t know before, quiet from our endless thoughts or simply a kind of death of something. Or simply peace of accepting the world for what it is. Accepting people for what it is.

I would like to read more about happiness. Or happiness that other people have studied and learnt about. I have read a fair bit already. But always not enough. And at the end of the day all I have is what I know, what’s inside me. I definitely take other peoples thoughts and feelings on board but at the end of the day, all I have is my own instincts. And what I feel, is that our happiness can be expanded, it can be heightened, and it can be lengthened. Don’t get me wrong. Stuff is going to go down in your life which will be ultra tough. And at those times, maybe the sunshine will disappear behind the clouds for a while. But it’s still there, waiting to come out. The candle inside you is still lit, waiting to burn freely again. Just waiting, waiting, longing, to be free.

So lets let it free. How? I can’t answer that for you. Because I’m not you. All I can tell you is to try. Not to give up. Not to let the flame burn out – though I don’t believe it ever really does (even when it feels like you are so deep down that there will never be any light again) Look down inside yourself. And ask yourself what it is you really want?

What do I want?

What is it I really want?

I bet something popped into your mind.

K, once you answer that. Now…

How do I get there? How do I get to what I want (even if right now what you want scares the sh*t out of you)

Now that’s the hard part. That’s the bit that takes courage. That’s the bit that will cause you heart ache or extreme joy. That’s the bit we get caught on…

We all know what we really want deep down. Just take the time to look. And have the courage to listen to yourself. Then have the courage, to take the next step to change… I mean look, you’ve taken the first step already by knowing what you want, and you do.

The journey of a thousand miles, begins with a single step…

Just look at the next step. What is one thing I can do to get me there? And when you get around to doing that one thing – because you will, eventually… then ask, what’s the next one thing?

Sometimes this might be simply talking about what’s making you unhappy, reaching out to a friend, walking out your front door, making one phone call or looking up a website or simply accepting that thing that you want. Then when you get there. Then figure out your next move. And maybe try and relax a little in between cause you’re doing well! And there’s no pressure to suddenly change your entire existence on one thought, unless of course you want to.

So, in conclusion…

What’s your next move? I know mine. The wheels are in motion. I challenge you to do the same.

- Eagle 13/04/2010 in need of taking the next step but satisfied that the wheels are already in motion

p.s. here’s an interesting bit of info I found on the afore mentioned quote…
“Although this is the popular form of this quotation, a more correct translation from the original Chinese would be "The journey of a thousand miles begins beneath one's feet." Rather than emphasizing the first step, Lau Tzu regarded action as something that arises naturally from stillness. Another potential phrasing would be "Even the longest journey must begin where you stand." [note by Michael Moncur, September 01, 2004]”
I find it strangely relates...