Having It All – Time, Money, Happiness
There are some things that encompass the important forces of money and time. Why do we all wish for more of each?
Perhaps you can relate to what I’m going to describe here.
I feel sometimes we forget what is truly important. Yes, money and time are highly important commodities – no doubting about that. The huge stigma around these two items creates much confusion and scattered thought, and of course, controversy when too little (or too much) of each is experienced.
But this post isn’t about money or time – two subjects I talk about in other articles.
This post is about happiness. Your happiness.
Think about happiness for a moment. Why do we do everything that we do in life?
Why do we get involved in a business opportunity, a relationship, a job, have kids? And on a smaller scale, why do we watch TV, or surf the internet? Even smaller, why do we wear the clothes we wear, or use a certain shampoo?
It all points to our level of happiness. We are constantly seeking this happiness in life all the time, 24/7. Happiness is our biggest, truest, most noble goal. It transcends money and time. When we are happy, we are complete.
So what makes one happy? I wouldn’t be able to say what makes everyone happy all of the time, but I can tell you a few things:
1) Givingness. Have you ever noticed that when you give – when you TRULY give without any thought of wanting anything return – you feel wonderful? I’m not sure how this works, or why. All I know is that when I’ve given something to someone without expectation of compensation, tangible or not, it’s made me light up inside. I think there is something empowering about giving someone a gift that helps make life a bit easier for them. Getting yourself out of the way feels good.
2) Creation. Creating things, like music, art, a relationship or a baby. We a born to create every day of our lives. The unfortunate thing is not many people are using their full potential, or they are creating in ways that don’t necessarily align to their highest good (being in a dead-end job, for example).
But we are born to create on a massive scale. Can you imagine if Mozart, Gandhi or Tesla weren’t massive creators? Can we even start to imagine what the world would have been like without them?
Apply this same logic to yourself. You, by your very existence, are making a huge difference in this world. And you don’t need to create masterpiece symphonies, passive resistance or alternating current coils. You make a difference on a minor and major scale because you are creating on a daily basis. And that creation can bring joy when it is something you want to do.
For example, I create articles here on EzineArticles. It gives me a way to give to others freely and creatively.
3) Relationships. Ahhh, what would we be without one another? Even the most introverted hermit needs human contact once in a while. As much as we wish to be right or independent in our own way, to be kings and queens of the universe, we have a deep need for other human beings. Even if they aren’t in our company, we need to know they are at least out there.
And romantic relationships – who wouldn’t love to be loved? What a great feeling it is to love someone. Instant happiness.
4) Playfulness. This is one most people don’t think about. This world is so serious! We are bombarded with the next drama, tragedy, or scandal on a daily basis. On a large scale, people have a fetish for the solemn, grave, serious. Ever notice how this makes you feel hardened, even unhappy? I once heard someone say that people are suffering from “emotion sickness”. I would agree. What’s so glorious about being serious all the time?
Lighten up! Children are naturally happy because they are playful. They love playing, being silly, laughing, giggling, running, dancing. Children are the way adults should be. I feel we, as adults, have a lot to unlearn. Let children be your teachers, drop the long face and get out there and do the silly dance!
5) Freedom. It sounds general (and it is), but freedom is the twin sister of happiness. Without freedom, one cannot be happy. And without happiness, one cannot be free. Freedom to do, be, have, experience whatever you’d like in this life. And sharing that feeling with others magnifies the feeling 100X fold for each person you affect.
So there we have it – 5 basic attributes that can make one happy.
It is my sincerest desire that you experience all of the 5 above continuously