Some Practical Thoughts on Happiness
Little nuggets of happy wisdom I have gained over the years
In the fall of 2021, I sat by the beach in Vancouver, watching the sunset reflecting over the water as the voices of people walking by blurred into a relaxing white noise.
After years of dreaming of living by the ocean, I was finally here.
The fresh air filled my lungs, and the light breeze gave me a cool hug. I closed my eyes to experience the moment.
As I meditated on the perfectly balanced rock, I realized something simple and true.
Life is all about happiness.
Whether it’s love, work, spending money, playing games, or listening to music… no matter what we do, we shoot for happiness.
Since that day, I’ve spent every day thinking about happiness.
Today, I am sharing some of the most practical thoughts on happiness I have learned.
Happiness is not a destination
You’ve probably heard something similar several times… “It’s all about the journey, not the destination.”
The most overused phrases are the truest.
Expecting to get to a place where you are constantly happy to the fullest is an unrealistic dream.
How would you even know you were happy if you were happy the entire time?
Instead of delaying your happiness to a specific place or an outcome you’re hoping for, pick a journey that makes you happy.
Let’s use building a company as an example.
You could build a company in an industry you don’t particularly enjoy because you believe you can sell for a lot of money. When you sell it, you will be happy and can do whatever you want! Right?
Well, what if instead of delaying your happiness, you built a company in an industry you do enjoy? You’ll be happy when building it, and if you want to sell it, you can.
Even if you were to sell it for less, at least you’d be happier along the way.
Pick the right journey and then the destination won’t matter.
Just do it
One of the worst things you can do is delay making the decision you know is right.
This is very common, especially around the new year.
You will wait until January 1st to make the positive change you could make immediately. Instead of quitting drinking, starting the gym, or applying for a new job, you wait…
Why? Why would you do this?!
Just do it, now. Listen to Nike.
You could be starting the business that occupies your mind 90% of the time, but for whatever reason, you choose to wait.
No more excuses. Give yourself the happiness you deserve.
Gratitude. Gratitude. Gratitude
Some of the happiest people in the world barely have anything. They are happy with exactly what they have now.
They are grateful.
There is a good reason everyone preaches gratitude.
With regular practice, you can find yourself appreciating the smallest of things.
By becoming great at practicing gratitude, you become great at the art of maximizing your happiness, regardless of your circumstances.
If you don’t know how to do this, don’t worry, there’s always a reason to be grateful.
You can smell, see, taste, feel, and hear. Your senses create immense beauty in your life.
You have friends and family, people who love you.
You have time, and the power to choose. You can make decisions that can change your life at any moment.
You have a roof over your head, access to the internet, and fresh air all around you.
Find your reasons to be grateful, and happiness will come with ease.
Let’s end with this
You need to define what happiness means to you. At the end of the day, that is what most people get wrong.
They get it into their minds about something that might make them happy, and when they get it, they are disappointed.
Learn about yourself. I mean, really take the time to get to know yourself.
No matter what you do, you will never find happiness unless you know yourself.
Thanks for reading