Can Everyone Be Happy?
Happiness is something that all people are seeking whether they realize it or not. It is at one of the deepest levels of why people do most things in life. Think about the things you do on a daily basis. Do you do anything with the intent of being unhappy? Have you ever woken up and said to yourself “I can’t wait to be miserable today!”? Understanding that happiness is a consistent motivator in life is a big step towards conscious living.
In the pursuit of happiness, I have some good news and some bad news…. I am always a fan of starting with positivity, so we will start with the good.
Good News:
Happiness is something that is attainable for EVERYONE. It is not something that is kept for a small few. It is something that can be created and sought in a variety of different situations. The trick is knowing how to find it. Why is it that some people seem to have ‘everything’ going for them in life yet are unhappy? While others seem to have only the essentials but are full of happiness? Understanding this on a deeper level is the key to finding happiness. BUT knowing the path to happiness first takes us to the bad news.
Bad News:
Happiness is NOT something that you can go and get. It is not something that you can buy. It is not something that you can find somewhere out there in the world. I know what some of you are thinking right now… I would sure be happier if I had lots of money OR I hate my work, how can I be happy if I hate something that I do every day! Like I said, in order to find the truth to happiness, you must first understand that is not about things outside of you.
A study about happiness states that people recorded being happier up until receiving a $75k of income per year (Kahneman). After 75K, they reported no higher levels of happiness. Below that number, people reported being less satisfied with life as well as having low emotional well-being.
Reading the study, it seems like things outside of ourselves can have a big impact on our happiness right? But it is in this same view that perpetuates one of the very things that keeps happiness at arms length.
Holistic health is rooted in happiness… and to get there we must live life consciously. To learn how to attain happiness, read the next blog in this series, Happiness is Where Consciousness and Energy Intersect.
Citations:
“To share a space with conscious individuals who are self aware, vulnerable and grounded has been a true treat. The practice run by Harry quickly became a space for deep presence, emotional work, authentic connections, and has been invaluable to help continue developing my own coaching skills. Harry always does a tremendous job of keeping each group aligned with the intention of the exercise and ensures every participant receives a valuable experience.”