Happiness is in your hands

We are 2 weeks into 2013. For some, the euphoria from the December and New Year holidays has already worn off, and these people are already back to their daily grind. For others, 2013 is an exciting new start, full of hope and promise, full of direction and expectancy.

What will 2013 be for you? Will you emerge happier with yourself and your life? Or will you allow time to slip you by?

“Happiness is in your own hands”. That is a phrase that I have heard since young. It is so simple, so logical. Yet, how many of us really understand and internalise it?

This morning, I marvelled at the various shades of meaning that this one phrase can hold. Here are some ways that we can immediately apply the wisdom to our daily lives.

1. A bird in hand is worth two in the bush. What birds are you holding?

Regardless of whether you are rich or poor, young or old, struggling or thriving, you will have something of value to yourself and someone else. Make a list of all the things that you DO have – your 5 senses, your health, your family, your friends, your career/ job… the list goes on.

Realise that someone else in this world does not have what you have. And ask yourself, if I didn’t have these, what would I pay to get them back?

You will realise very quickly that you already have loads of treasures in your life. Recognising them and being grateful for them is a first step to happiness.

2. Happiness is totally within your control. Can you see things in a different light?

We hear this all the time. Happiness is an attitude, a choice. A challenge is a challenge – you can choose to treat it as an opportunity to grow and learn, or take it as yet another sign that the world is against you. A gift is a gift – you can be immensely grateful that you received the gift, or you can be upset that it was not the exact size/ shape that you would have wanted.

Today, be mindful of the things that you are unhappy about and ask yourself: can I see it in a different, positive light? You will find that there is always a different perspective you can take. And when you take on enough new perspectives, you start to create a brand new reality for yourself.

3. You can work to maximise your happiness. What else can you create today?

At this point, the sceptics may ask – if we are to be thankful for what we have and see the silver lining in every cloud, does it mean we will all live in la-la land and be happy with whatever cards that life deals us?

Of course not. A dear friend once shared a Chinese saying that essentially means, “One should be content and grateful for what he has, but must never be totally satisfied with what he has”. I found this to be such a powerful concept.

Life is a journey. Whatever we did or did not do in the past has led us to where we are today. There are always things to be grateful for in the present, and always new lessons to be learnt. Choosing to be grateful and appreciative doesn’t stop us from seeking to achieve more in life. To be a better person, to do more with our time and resources, and to have more abundance in our lives.

Today, redefine for yourself what you can build with your own hands (and mind). If there is something that you desire, ask yourself “why not”, and focus on what you can do to make it happen. A “why not” a day can lead to huge miracles before 2013 is over.

Wishing you an even happier 2013,
Angela Lam
Chief Happiness Officer

Skool of Happiness