This morning as I was stalking perusing facebook, I came across this little motivational poster.
I had to question this poster a bit.
1- What is happiness? How can we easily identify it?
2- Can we change our emotional state simply by making a change?
3- If it takes change to find true bliss, then how can we figure out what it is that we need to change?
This has been part of my struggle all along. Losing my shine, trying to find it, and recognizing what I needed to change in order to get it back. Something I learned this year: I’m the only person in this equation that can change and I’m the only one that can control how I ultimately feel.
So while happiness definitely isn’t as easy turning on a light switch or just “turning off” what is creating negativity in our lives, I have to say, I’m OK with that. But imagine if it was that easy? We would have nothing to complain about! Relationships would no longer be as tumultuous and exciting! And- Facebook would no longer exist as a place for people to air our their problems with strangers! Oh, life. I love you.
52 Miles per Month 
I really liked the flowchart which goes like this:
Are you happy? No. Do you want to be happy? Yes. Change something.
And that ‘something’ is – the world. Believe me. If you don’t like it that way, don’t change yourselves, change that thing.
I’m convinced you actually have to change yourself first. You can’t change the world without finding your own internal peace first. Everything else will come with time because when you’re happy, life has a wonderful way of unfolding.
So you’re not getting it. Alright. I can explain it to you. I liked the flowchart because it is the answer to most of the people in this world. My flowchart, read my, is : Are you happy? Yes. Simple. You are right in your thought that “change begins with me”. And if you look up to my blog I always say change has to come from deep within the heart. And, one more thing, I’ve found my inner peace a long way before. Be happy.
I’m happy more often than unhappy so when I am sad, I don’t see any harm in indulging in things that make me happy. If I wallow and overthink my sadness, it grows. Of course, if you are sad a lot, it might be depression and in which case, indulgence is not healthy.
Excellent point. I agree. A little sadness here in there is a gentle reminder that life is beautiful. At times I have been jaded because I’ve experienced so many wonderful things. I hit a point that I lost interest in the natural beauty in life. One bad week and I could quickly recall how fortunate I am. For everything! I have to admit that I do enjoy indulging after a bad day. Wine? Chocolate? Manicure? All of the above?