I used to believe in the phrase "I'll be happy when…” until I realised that “when” never comes. It's our choice to be happy here and now, even amidst life's challenges.
Life is filled with ups and downs. One day we feel joyful and content. The next, we're saddened or stressed. Our moods fluctuate constantly in response to life's circumstances.
But what if we didn't let external factors control how we feel? What if we made a conscious choice to be happy, regardless of what's happening around us?
This may sound difficult. But it all comes down to perspective - how we choose to see the world and our place in it.
Let's try a little experiment. On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your happiness right now? Be honest. Now, here's the twist: you can't pick 7.
Interesting, isn't it? We often gravitate towards the middle, not wanting to commit to being truly happy or unhappy. 7 feels like a safe, comfortable choice. But is this serving us?
Choosing 7 means we're letting outside forces determine our inner state. It means we're reluctant to take responsibility for our own happiness.
What if, instead, we made the courageous choice to pick 8, 9 or 10? This simple shift in perspective could transform our daily lives.
Suddenly, rather than focusing on problems, we'd notice all there is to appreciate. Instead of dwelling on what's lacking, we'd find fulfilment in the here and now.
Henry Ford once said, "Whether you think you can or you can't, you're right." This profound statement isn't just about our abilities or inabilities but extends to our emotions and state of mind. I believe the same goes for happiness. If you think you're happy, you are. If you think you're not, well, you're right again.
This is the power of choosing happiness. It allows us to shape our reality, to turn the ordinary into the extraordinary.
Yes, there will still be difficult times. But by choosing happiness as our baseline, we give ourselves the gift of a more joyful, meaningful life.
So today, challenge yourself. Choose a number higher than 7. Then watch the world transform around you.
Happiness is a choice we must make again and again. But it's a choice that can change everything.
140 - The Happiness Scale: Why Settling for '7' Isn't Enough