Waking up early in the morning with plenty of energy, going for a nice run without worrying about something (anything really), cooking three healthy meals from scratch, exercising, meditating, spending time with those we love, playing with our pets, and concentrating on something we love to do that's just for our enjoyment...These goals that we have set for ourselves all require motivation and they beg us to knock ourselves out of the automation of daily routine. Because once you get away from thoughtlessly gliding through time in complete automation you suddenly realize that the morbid routine you let rule your life was killing you of boredom, depression, anxiety and most importantly lack of joy.
We are completely in control of our lives, are we not? Were we not given absolute power to make decisions? Is there still such a thing as freewill? Where has our willpower gone? If our choices are our own, aren't they also our responsibility? There are so many questions that I constantly ask myself, and the questions continue to increase. Sound familiar?
Filled with curiosity of what would happen if we begin to do something just for ourselves can become a relentless journey or a journey that can lead to a much needed awakening. Sometimes you may wonder if the world itself would fall into disarray if we took a moment to take care of ourselves and stop taking care of everything and everyone around us? I am happy to say it would all be okay if we took a moment for ourselves. In fact, I would be willing to bet that you probably could use a break for yourself right now!
It is so much easier to blame something or someone other than ourselves for the choices that we made and the consequences of those choices. Namely, whether you are happy or not. Because at the end of the day what could be more important than your happiness. How many of us truly feel happy with our lives? We often forget we can change our lives today, we can choose to be happy! You do not have to be who you were yesterday or who you will be years from now. What is important at the end of the day is who you are right this moment and what you do with the gift of life! The very same gift those who are no longer with us wish they had. There is a sense of joy and peace in being able to enjoy every moment.
A new way that I have started to think about passing on the blame is that when we do this we also give people and things upon whom/what we have place the blame control over lives. We agree that these people or things affect us to the point that they have shaped us and even determined events in our lives. How is this surrender of control better than taking responsibility for our decisions? Perhaps it is an infinite cycle requiring you to understand the mistakes you have made. Until then the story may repeat itself and the struggles themselves may seem all too familiar.
Sadly, regardless of how familiar they may continue to seem, these struggles may continue until we finally break the cycle. Breaking away from the instant surrender of blame that rightly belongs to us and instead having the courage to accept responsibilities in our lives is priceless. After all we cannot discover possibilities without failure, failure is but a teaching tool. It is alright to make mistakes as along as you learn from them. It is very clear that taking responsibility for our lives (both failures and successes) will make you feel empowered at the end of the day while passing on the blame may leave you feel defeated.
We must recognize that we have all the power we need to make decisions that make us genuinely happy. The power to follow through with those decisions, willpower, is continually strengthened by choosing what is best for you. Though it is easier to blame our situations, material things, our families, friends or spouses for our happiness, or lack thereof, if there is blame to be placed there is no one to blame but you. Shake yourself out of the sadness that may at times surround you, the depression, the voice in your head that tells you that are you won't achieve anything or that you are not worth it. It is okay to let go of the past ...after all you cannot change it today and holding on to it may haunt you. While you are at it tell that voice that's been talking down to you to bug off.
When you awaken yourself to the idea that you want to be happy everything around you evolves. It all becomes a little brighter. After all, being happy is a conscious decision. A great deal of being happy depends on your outlook and your ability to remain positive through any kind of situation. Though not everyone is able to remain positive naturally, even those who are not naturals can become positive thinkers by concentrating on the intention to remain positive . Many studies have shown that negative thinking, stress, loneliness can all negatively impact our health and increase our chances to be diagnosed with a diseases and/or medical conditions.
One of the most important achievements one can obtain is to love ourselves and to absolutely understand that we deserve to be happy. When we truly accept and love ourselves we understand that no one is perfect. Rather than spending energy criticizing ourselves we begin to start making improvements to ourselves. We begin to see the change we hoped for. Our journey to being exactly the person we know we can be and the type of person that makes us happy begins. Before we know it, all of those goals we put in the "back burner" years ago start making an appearance. Brace yourself for the pleasant surprises that may come once you decide to step away from the automated zombie like existence that has plagued too many!
It all sounds great, ideal really. However, in reality we are all very good at creating excuses and masquerading those excuses by presenting them as problems. We convince ourselves that we have numerous problems but they mostly exist only in our minds. Yes, I am counting those times we literally worry ourselves sick. Ask yourself, what are the obstacles that stand between you and being happy? Now is as good a time as ever to decide to be happy.
Mind you there are some people that have real problems, and sometimes when it rains it pours. When you think of these difficult scenarios that is when positive people find their strength in hope. Once we consider the seriousness of other people's problems and then compare them to our own, your problems just might begin to feel a little smaller in the big scheme of things. You begin to find gratitude in circumstances where you might have complained in the past. I strive to not complain but it is honestly a struggle. We have been conditioned to complain as an automatic response. However, there is so much good in my life and there is so much that I am grateful for, complaining seems hardly like a good use of precious time.
It is easier to concentrate on smaller problems than concentrating on determining what kind of journey we are on. You may be asking yourself "what journey?" The type of journey greatly depends on you! You might be on the journey to find yourself, the meaning of life, scientific discoveries, farming, reconnecting with nature, business ventures, seeking knowledge, possibilities can be endless if you allow them to be.
