Don’t chase happiness, CHOOSE happiness!
By Amanda Da Silva, B.Hkin, B.Ed, and M.Ed
5-minute read
Have you ever woken up in the morning, feeling the soul-wrenching dread that comes with life's daily challenges? Or felt like a heavy fog is hovering over your life, and it just won't lift?
We often feel that happiness is a distant treasure, awaiting discovery in some exotic escape. Well, I'm here to tell you it's actually closer than you think. True happiness lies in the beautiful realization that it's a choice we make every day, and it's within our reach to embrace it wholeheartedly.
We all know that feeling of joy when we enjoy an amazing experience or accomplish something meaningful. And these moments of joy fill us with a burst of energy that changes how we see the world. The good news is, we can make this part of our everyday lives by looking for moments of fulfillment and contentment in even the smallest things.
When we make the conscious decision to focus on the positive aspects of our life, we open ourselves up to higher levels of emotional satisfaction. Being kind and compassionate towards ourselves helps us develop resilience during difficult times. It gives us hope for tomorrow, as well as the motivation to move forward.
Imagine happiness as an enchanting dance between two partners, each with their own unique rhythm.
One embodying life's fleeting pleasures, and the other painting a canvas of profound meaning. The first dance with is Hedonia, their movements capturing the carefree joy of laughter-filled movie nights and the delicious symphony of our favourite meals. Embracing them allows our mental health to soar, but as with any intoxicating pleasure, Hedonia's dance may not last forever.
As we twirl through life, entwined with our desires, a new partner awaits to take our hand. Eudaimonia, the essence of true meaning and purpose, provides us with a connection that transcends the ephemeral thrills of our journey. In their embrace, we uncover the unshakable beauty of making a positive impact on the world or cultivating relationships that nourish our souls.
Together, the dances of Hedonia and Eudaimonia orchestrate a harmonious symphony - the very essence of happiness. As we dance with these partners, we learn to savour life's fleeting joys alongside the soul-stirring depth of meaning and purpose, ultimately unlocking the divine rhapsody that is happiness.
Achieving a balance between the two starts with us. By taking small steps each day to explore both the joys life has to offer and our purpose, we create a unique harmony that can bring true contentment. You can start by:
No.1: Practicing being present
Let me share with you my little secret about unlocking true joy in our lives.
Sometimes, the simplest of moments can bring about the most profound happiness - like listening to the sweet melodies of birds, watching the first rays of sunshine grace the new day, snuggling with our children, or savouring a delectable meal made with love.
All it takes is a conscious effort to truly immerse ourselves in the present, allowing our hearts to be light and free of judgment. Not only does this practice embrace the warmth of spontaneous joy, but it also paves the way for a deeper sense of fulfillment that springs from meaningful experiences.
Allow your soul to soar in the now and rediscover the beauty in every fleeting moment.
No.2: Relishing the mundaneness of everyday tasks
Imagine this: letting everyday chores guide you toward a sense of deep-rooted serenity. That's right – mundane tasks like washing dishes and folding laundry can serve as moving meditations, anchoring us in the present moment.
As we immerse ourselves in these simple acts, we unlock the power to discover pockets of joy and true pleasure in effortless ways, such as delighting in the gentle dance of soap bubbles or the soothing whispers of fabric.
What if we went even further, and infused ordinary tasks with fragrance and thought? Adding a few drops of aromatherapy oil can elevate the most ordinary task into an opportunity for self-reflection. It can even inspire bursts of creative expression. And just like that, the ordinary becomes extraordinary – a journey of cultivating mindfulness and appreciation all around us.
No.3: Savouring every moment
At times, it's the tiniest things that hide the greatest beauty.
Pause for a moment, and let the world seep into you - the whispers of leaves as they dance with the wind, the shimmering pearls that fall from the heavens in a rain shower. There is magic in every moment. Immerse yourself in the now, and you'll uncover a treasure trove of beautiful memories waiting to be cherished.
Each one of these moments will cradle you with happiness and allow you to connect with yourself and with those who grace your life. This is the melody of hedonic and eudaimonic happiness, a song only heard by those who have learned to listen.
There is so much value in choosing to be happy rather than chasing after it. Happiness is an emotion that cannot be forced but must come from within. It’s something that needs to be cultivated, not sought after.
Making the choice to be happy means understanding that life isn’t always going to go as planned and that it’s okay to experience moments of sadness or grief. It’s about recognizing that life is a journey, and there will be ups and downs along the way, and boy have we all experienced our fair share of those. But when we choose happiness, we create space for more positive experiences and relationships in our life.
Choosing happiness means recognizing our worthiness even when times are tough. At the end of the day, it isn't just about finding moments of joy; it's about learning how to make those joyful moments last longer.
So, take some time to pause and be mindful of your choices today – choose happiness! Appreciate where you are right now because no matter how small these moments may seem, they will add up over time and eventually form an abundance of joy that will colour every aspect of your life!
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Hi! I’m Amanda Da Silva.
I’m a mother of two boys, a wife, daughter, teacher, entrepreneur, former CEO, and life-long learner. I’m all about personal growth, community 💕, and being of service. (Find out more about me here.) In addition to being passionate about personal development, I’m an educator and coach with 20-years experience teaching and leading in the BC school system. I have a B.Hkin, B.Ed, and M.Ed, specializing in leadership and administration. Creating community and leading thriving teams are two of my favourite things to do. I also love helping people live empowered and growth-oriented lives.
I hope you’ll join me as we build our success together! 🙌
