Commitment to Happiness
“Happiness isn’t getting what you want, it’s wanting what you’ve got.” – Anonymous
There is a popular kind of negative thinking that we all do, “IF – THEN, or WHEN – Then” thinking. It goes like this: “IF/WHEN I get (insert desire) THEN I’ll be (insert reward). There is no difference between IF or WHEN just in the level of confidence that’s expressed. “IF” suggests it might not happen and “WHEN” expresses certainty about whatever goal you’re thinking of. I use to think that WHEN I get my dream job, THEN I’ll be happy. Or WHEN I get the girl of my dreams, THEN I won’t feel lonely. Almost without fail, IF/WHEN – THEN thinking never resulted in what I was hoping to get. I got the education, the car, the job, had the money, and women and despite having all I wanted I was somehow miserable. Getting what I wanted only resulted in wanting more.
Having had a number of experiences where getting what I want didn’t make me happy, I’ve learned that my day to day goal rarely have anything to do with getting something. Rather I’ve learned to appreciate all that I have and focus my energy on the feelings I want to have without the “things” I think will make me happy. My commitment to living a GREAT LIFE includes a commitment to happiness. I heard Les Brown, motivational speaker (if you don’t know his work, look up any number of speeches online) say that when he wakes up every day committed to being happy. I committed myself to living a GREAT LIFE partially inspired by Les Browns commitment to happiness. Nothing makes me happier than thinking about my GREAT LIFE and more important is sharing all I’ve learned.
There is nothing more tragic than not seeing all there is to be grateful for. A quote I think of asks the question “What if you woke up the next morning only with those things you were grateful for the day before?” Everyday I try to take inventory of all I’m grateful for. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not dependent on things to make me happy. If I lose it all, and sometimes I think I have, there is always more that can be lost and I’m grateful and very happy for all I have.
Happiness is wanting what you have. I want all I have and I’m very grateful, happy, and blessed for each day I’m not blinded by IF/WHEN – THEN thinking. I am committed to happiness. I am committed to living a GREAT LIFE.