5 Myths about Happiness.
12:10:00 PM
They say happiness comes in all shapes in sizes. Does it? I assumed that it must, for it's not just a feeling anymore. Sure, it is. But, material gain also contributes now in generating happiness. I hate to break it to you, but this "feeling" is haunted by myths. Powerful myths; ones that alter your perception and make you act accordingly. And when you realize that you've been barking up the wrong tree, you let go of everything, sit down, and mutter,"Shit."
Here are what I think to be the myths encompassing happiness.
1. It Can't Be Bought.
We've all heard this one, haven't we? Well, you can buy happiness. Are you a book-lover? What strange-but-exciting thing do you feel when you've bought a new book? That's happiness, right? Are you a shopaholic? What do you feel lighting you up when you roam around in a pair of new shoes, or new jeans? Pure. Joy.
"You can't buy happiness, but you
can buy ice cream. And that's
kind of the same thing."
Call it material happiness or whatever. But, it does make you happy. And that, Sunshines, counts.
2. You Need People to Make You Happy.
Wrong. Sure, when you're with your friends, and you're cracking jokes and having fun — you feel happy. But, that doesn't necessarily mean that it is with your friends alone that you can find happiness.
"Searching your happiness in others will make you feel alone. Search it in yourself and
you'll feel happy even when you are alone."
you'll feel happy even when you are alone."
Spend some time alone. Go hiking. Take a look up at the sky; the sunset, the moon and the stars. Listen to music that you like, the right song at the right time. Do some gardening, paint, or write poetry. You'll feel majestic.
3. It Can Be Stolen from You.
OMG, whatever will we do if our happiness gets stolen by, say, the happiness thief? We can make more! We our own thief. We just let people ruin our day, or let rude comments and hatred venerate us and our good mood.
"Stop letting people who do so little for you
control so much of your mind,
feelings, and emotions."
control so much of your mind,
feelings, and emotions."
— Will Smith
It can't be stolen from you; not if you let it.
4. Happiness Is a Choice.
You need more than mere will to be happy. For some, it requires their all. For them, it is quite a struggle, swimming to the top of a dark, dark ocean to breathe in air. But, they make it to the top in the end.
"Only you can make you happy."
That's right.
5. Absolute Sadness for Absolute Happiness.
"If you seek true happiness, you must
experience true sadness."
— Patrick Chang
Somewhat true. But, not entirely. If you've seen too much dark, too much of unhappiness, chances are that you might never be yourself again. Some experiences have a way of changing people from the inside. I'm not an expert. It seems wrong, though. To complicate life. Why complicate it? That, too, on our own? Don't take Chang up there too seriously. Seriously!
Do what you love. Surround yourself with people that you love and those who love you back. Play in the sun and have chocolate, for God's sake!
Because, you only live once.
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