Are you happy right now? Happy with your life? What’s the key to happiness?
As crappy and unhelpful as this can sound at first, the key really is Gratitude. Gratitude isn't a feeling like happiness is, gratitude is a choice. It's choosing to find something in this moment we can be grateful for? What do you have to be grateful for right now? Something happens when we find something to be grateful for in the moment; maybe a meal, a piece of clothing, the breath in our lungs, but as you begin to say in your mind and then out loud that "I am grateful I have a pair of shoes", something begins to happen. We begin to form an internal smile because of just saying the words I am grateful for....whatever we choose in that moment. Activating that internal smile stokes the embers of joy in our being, in our soul, in our hearts and minds. We can have joy and peace in the middle of suffering but will we choose to activate.
We are consumed with being happy in our modern society. We hear if you're not happy the words: leave, quit, start over, find what makes us happy. What ends up happening is an eternal pursuit of being fulfilled in every waking moment and running from depression causing even more anxiety because if we stop and, like the humming bird, we die. Die from the pain of unhappiness, boredom, unfulfillment. I have learned that chasing the dopamine hits are just the delay to that rock bottom of having to be alone with oneself. I have also learned that in those moments I can choose gratefulness even when it seems I have nothing to be grateful for. This has come to me through the teachings of my faith and the Bible, but I also have learned that it is a real life truth by putting it into practice myself.
Choosing gratitude. Being grateful for where you are right now at this very moment, regardless of your circumstances.
This is a life that God gave to me and to you. This is the very moment that we have been given. It might not be the one we would have chosen for ourselves but its the one we have been handed.. Will you be grateful for it? Will you bloom where you’re planted?
“Are you seeking great things for yourself? Don’t do it! I will bring great disaster upon all these people; but I will give you your life as a reward wherever you go. I, the Lord, have spoken!’””
Jeremiah 45:5 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/jer.45.5.NLT
We could be surrounded by doom gloom, chaos destruction, but our reward is our very life and having it wherever we go, whatever circumstance we’re in. We have life. Each new day is a new possibility and we know that with the right choices things can grow and become better over time.
“This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says to all the captives he has exiled to Babylon from Jerusalem: “Build homes, and plan to stay. Plant gardens, and eat the food they produce. Marry and have children. Then find spouses for them so that you may have many grandchildren. Multiply! Do not dwindle away! And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare.””
Jeremiah 29:4-7 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/jer.29.4-7.NLT
God was calling the Israelites to embrace where they were at because they would not be leaving anytime soon. It wasn’t forever, but he didn’t want them putting off living until they got out of captivity, got out of their current situation and into the Ideal situation that they were hoping for. Instead he called them to put down roots where they were at, to marry build homes, give their children in marriage, pray for the welfare of the city for it would benefit their own welfare. Maybe you’re in a situation you don’t want to be, a home you don’t want to be, a job you don’t want to be, but maybe for this very moment God is calling us to bloom where we’re planted until he moves us to the next. What happens if we just put down roots right where we are in life instead of trying to escape our current situation?
“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.”
James 1:2-5 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/jas.1.2-5.NLT
Many times in my life I have chose to thank the Lord for the bad things that are happening to me and the difficulties because of this verse. Many times it has given me gratitude by finding the blessings that were still around me even though it felt like I was in a miserable place.
We can hope and pursue a better future for ourselves and our families, but let’s not do a disservice to ourselves and what's greater than ourselves by forsaking care of the things we are given today. We should to the best of our ability how gratitude whether we feel like it or not. The funny thing is when we begin to choose that type of living, that type of blooming where we are planted, we end up finding joy and peace because it’s his way and not ours. Let happiness find you today through gratitude.
Let’s not wait until we have (fill in the blank ______) to be happy.
Make it a great day.
