Let me re-phrase.... When I actually make it to the Y to work out (that's better) I always grab a small crumpled piece of colorful paper the Y employees leave by the exit. When you unfold the paper and smooth out the wrinkles there is a typed message. Monday's message was this:
"Happiness is a thing to be practiced,
like the violin."
John Lubbock
It's that time of year when we are all asking our loved ones and friends, "What do you want for Christmas?". I have heard more than one person say, "For everyone to be happy.". What a wonderful, and just about impossible, gift to have.... everyone happy.
We often make the mistake of looking at happiness as a goal, a treasure to obtain, or the prize at the end of a very grueling race. In short, we think that happiness will be given to us, in it's entirety, all at once. If we work hard enough, grieve long enough, endure quite enough... then enough happiness will arrive at our doorstep along with the Amazon boxes we ordered for Christmas presents.
News Flash:
Happiness will not be under the Christmas tree this year.
The elves do not have the tools to put together your happiness.
I heard on the Oprah show, a lady talking about her recent gastric bypass surgery. She explained that after the surgery she felt this strange, almost uncomfortable, sensation after she ate. She didn't know what the feeling was, so she kept eating or ignored the feeling all together. Finally someone shared with her, "That feeling is when you are full and have had enough to eat."
This lady had her "light bulb moment" when she realized the strange sensation she was feeling was in fact sending her a message that she was full.
That's how it is with happiness. If we don't practice being happy, we won't know what the feeling is and when we do experience that sensation it could be ignored out of ignorance to the feeling.
Fact: You will experience happiness. So, make yourself familiar with how this feeling effects you and welcome it to your life.
Do something today that you think will make you smile, laugh or feel good.... even for a moment. Call a friend or loved one you haven't talked to in a while, tell a joke, enjoy a bowl of ice cream, watch a comedy. Make the choice to practice feeling happy... don't wait for it to be under the tree or you'll never get your wish. Like everything, practice makes perfect.
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