Monday, December 27, 2010

Reaching Your Happy Place

It's the time of year when people begin to get all reflective and start to make their resolutions for the next year. While I do enjoy reflection, I am not one to make resolutions. To me, resolutions are stated intents with no system to measure progress. What's to point in trying to change something if you can't measure your progress?

Last night, while my daughter laid in bed next to me watching Zombieland, I had a long, deep conversation with my dear friend Alicia. A lot of what we talked about had to do with finding happiness while staying true to yourself and true to your God.  While I try to keep this space secular, to know me is to know that I am a Christian. Many years ago, following the death of my husband, I welcomed Christ into my life and accepted Him as my Lord and Savior.  Although I fall short, I wake each day with the intent to live His will and make choices to glorify Him.

For those that do not hold my beliefs, please, don't feel alienated and close this page. That is all I have to say about Him. What I am getting at is really less about faith and more about happiness. More about that little voice in the back of your head that tells you whether or not you are on the right track.



Via Google images


So often we make choices that in the here and now seem like great ideas. Like a night on the town with libations flowing freely. Then, the next day, we wake up feeling like a pile of poo thinking, "Why on Earth did I drink so much?" It made us happy at the time, but really, long term, it contributed nothing to our overall happiness.

I'm not saying, "Quit drinking." That's an absurd thought, in my opinion. What I am saying is, how often do we really evaluate our overall happiness? Not how we're feeling right at that moment, but overall? How often do we consider all of our options? How often do we look at the options and really consider necessary steps to achieving the seemingly unattainable goal?

I know that I personally have aspired to things that have quickly fallen to the wayside because of doubt and fear that clouded my way. I'm here to tell you that I refuse to be a product of my fear. Going forward, I refuse to be a product of my self doubt. While I am not here to make a list of changes I'd like to see in me, I will say that 2011 will see me embracing my challenges and facing my fears. 2011 will see me not being defined by the things I don't think I can do, but working to acheive the things that bring me overall happiness.

8 comments:

Alicia said...

i LOVE that quote...its so fitting! and i know that 2011 will hold so many amazing things for you!! you're such an inspiration mama and i know you'll get the happiness that you deserve :) insert fistbump here.

Heather Jones said...

That is definitely a great way to look at it...I do have goals I want to accomplish in the new year, but not sure if I should call them New Year's Resolutions or not.

Danielle said...

I love this and agree that fear keeps me from moving forward into a happy place sometimes. I am with you in 2011!

Katie Hurley, LCSW said...

Beautiful. Resolutions are so often a set-up for failure, but happiness is always worth striving for.

Katie
http://practicalparenting.blogspot.com/2010/12/forget-resolutions-tips-for-setting.html

Babes Mami said...

Fabulous!

Ducky said...

Very well stated and it is a huge step in the journey to recognize this. I think often too few people realize this and it causes quite a lot of hurt feelings when others around you haven't yet reached this maturity in the journey. 2011 will be full of wonderful things for you. Happiness comes from within and is often more about attitude than situation for sure. I've been fortunate to find some amazing blessings in the small moments of life when I finally stopped focusing on trying to weather the storm and focused more on learning to dance in the rain.

Warmest wishes for many happy moments in 2011

The Random Blogette said...

I love what you have said. I think that I will join you and strive for overall happiness in the new year. I really need it after the year that I have had!

gayle said...

What a great way to start the new year!!

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