What do happy people know that unhappy folks don’t?
Well, the answer is quite simple.
Happy people know that unhappiness comes from wanting something to be different than it is.
The pain, discomfort or distress that underlies unhappiness comes from resisting something as it exists right now. We yearn for the past or worry about the future.
I can be unhappy because a prospect did not choose me as their trainer. I can feel sad and annoyed. But all that angst will do NOTHING to change the fact the prospect chose someone else.
I could be unhappy that a colleague isn’t pulling his weight in the office. I could bitch and complain around the watercooler but my holding this negative emotion doesn’t change the situation one iota.
No, no one is happy 24/7; even the Dalai Lama – who wrote the book ‘The Joy Of Happiness’ – admits to having bad days.
But happy people are happy, in part, because they accept situations and circumstances as they are, in this moment. The pain comes only when we resist what is.
Action – What do you feel unhappy about? And what about that thing or situation are you resisting? How are you wishing it were different?
Happiness comes from acceptance.