Musings

I used to believe I had to earn my happiness.

Then I realized that I could be happy in “miserable” conditions (as well as vice versaβ€”I could be miserable in “happy” conditions).Β  My happiness wasn’t dependent on sacrificing or justifying my way into a predetermined “heaven” or “enlightenment.”

Happiness, in my opinion, springs from an internal focus on relaxation and allowance, rather than earning and strife.Β  Outwardly, I may or may not have to exert physical effort, but that is independent of my happiness.


Comments

83 responses to “Musings”

  1. How true.
    Happiness has a benign sort of mischief, sneaking up when you least expect it. Welcome the surprise.

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Indeed! Being surprised by delight is one of the best things ever.

      Liked by 3 people

  2. Kudos. You’ve come to a realization and wisdom that takes some people a lifetime to grasp. πŸ’š
    Enjoy your freedom now.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Thank you! Maybe I knew it, forgot it, and now I’m slowly coming around again, LOL!

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Wow that’s a mouthful! Be happy!🎐

    Liked by 3 people

    1. aparna12 Avatar
      aparna12

      Amazing thoughts. An excellent post. I have started reading A Door into Evermoor. Wow! I find it fascinating and very interesting. Hopefully I will finish reading it in a day Or two. I find reading your books very refreshing and highly entertaining. In fact, I gave up watching TV for good.

      Liked by 3 people

      1. Thank you!! Super happy you’re enjoying A Door into Evermoor. Very different from Echo! I hope you’ll find it just as entertaining.

        Liked by 1 person

    2. Will do! You too!

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Here here!!! Thank You! πŸ’•

    Liked by 3 people

    1. You’re welcome! My pleasure!

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Needed to hear this! Choose happy!

    Liked by 2 people

  6. That’s exactly what I’m exploring as well. I know that my thoughts of contentment or happiness comes from within, and that when looked at from a different perspective, outside influences shouldn’t affect how I feel. Anyway, thanks for this post!

    Liked by 3 people

    1. I agree! Just don’t beat yourself up when you’re in a mood. I like to find a distraction, then it doesn’t seem like that big a deal after a bit.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. things are never as bad (or as good) as they seem !

        Liked by 1 person

      2. YES πŸ’―%
        beating oneself up ONLY makes things worse, …
        so if β€œit” started out unpleasant – Y do we all tend to add insult to our own names injuries?

        My best guess is habitual patterns of thought that become programmed β€œknee JERK (!) reactions/responses”

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Indeed! It’s a fine line, because a hidden trap in that is false positivity, which only leads to more strain and more negativity. I like to just settle into the realization that I can at least turn in the direction of positivity and reach for the feeling of relief, even if I can’t feel immediately positive…

        Liked by 1 person

      4. that’s a great attitude
        & a SKILL
        thanks for sharing

        I agree, …
        the β€œlight” is always ON but sometimes it still feels dark & knowing where one’s internal switch / β€œhow to keep the pilot light litπŸ”₯”
        IS a relief

        & so TRUE about the β€œfalse positivity” / β€œfake it β€˜till u make it”
        it potentially sets one up for disappointment

        It’s so important to feel what one feels and let that πŸ’© run it’s course

        Talking about β€œit”can make it worse if the focus is on the β€œit”
        talking/communicating also helps if the focus is on release & relief

        what we focus on GROWS, whether it’s the problem or the solution is up to our own internal gardeners 🌻

        I’m guessing that’s Y β€œnothingness” is such a good meditation πŸ§˜πŸΌβ€β™€οΈ focus 🎯
        bc sometimes β€œNOthing” is the solution &
        BEing in the stillness & silence of β€œnothingness” resolves the β€œit” πŸ’›

        Liked by 1 person

      5. I agree! Daily meditation can definitely scratch that itch. Some regular stillness is important!

        Liked by 1 person

      6. regular stillness is AS essential as regular movement…. #balance

        balance is different for ev1, so there’s no β€œmagic formula”
        AND balance itself is a dynamic (vs static) state

        Liked by 1 person

      7. Agree! Balance is an act, not a state!

        Liked by 1 person

      8. it’s dynamic
        static-ness

        the duality built into the principle of balance makes me laugh

        Liked by 1 person

      9. macro static, micro dynamic

        Liked by 1 person

      10. YES !
        &
        simultaneously

        micro-dynamic
        &
        macro-static

        (for instance, a calm ocean with all it’s moving parts )

        macro-dynamic
        &
        micro-static

        (for instance, holding ones breath, yet the entirety of the human body, EVEN the lungs, are never STILL, not communicating, nor
        NOT in flux;
        or contracting a muscle
        and all systems beyond the human body)

        I LOVE how this works both ways –
        & truly depicts the depth to which β€œbalance” = fluctuation

        & β€œstillness” is a perception;
        a striving towards a state of the most even keeled experience of our senses, both physical and emotional

        thx, @dirtyscifibuddha

        love the thoughts πŸ’­
        this conversation has generated πŸ’

        Liked by 1 person

      11. Absolutely! Love it!

        Liked by 1 person

  7. Sometimes it’s at least partially uncontrollable but most of it always depends upon sheer will power

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Will power helps!

      Liked by 2 people

      1. will-POWER is very powerful when consciously & conscientiously applied

        Mind over matter is more than a β€œsaying”
        It can create one’s experience

        Your initial post is fabulous… it does take ppl lifetimesssss plural to achieve this state of awareness &
        It is a constant choice
        being aware of ones own β€œchoice points” is so critical bc that’s the tipping point, where β€œit controls u” or β€œu control it”

        cheering u on DirtySciFiBuddha

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Indeed! I also find the more I internally relax, the more control I’m given. There’s irony there, for you.

        Liked by 1 person

      3. re: relaxing & control

        it’s like a muscle
        & if a muscle is in a state of constant contraction, it’ll seize up

        the relaxing of the muscle allows for it’s release (thereby gaining strength, endurance, β€œcontrol”)

        so using the muscle is just as important as relaxing the muscleπŸ’ͺ🏼🧠

        Liked by 1 person

      4. Yep. Gotta listen to that inner guidance!

        Liked by 1 person

      5. I’ve truly begun to USE my emotions as an
        e-GPS (emotional GPS)
        and understand my β€œinner-guidance” is guided by this finely tuned, highly receptive & EXTREMELY ACCURATE internal communication network …
        took me a long time to tune in to that navigational voice
        and even longer to trust AND follow its β€œdirectional advice”

        it’s more fun now that I understand what wisdom my inner voice is offering up & even anxiety is becoming less cumbersome & fear more tolerable because I know it’s a warning message of some sort … use caution ⚠️ ; slow down; BREATHE, listen; stretch, move, pause; STOP; change direction; attitude adjustment ; etc….

        growth is a cool process, especially when one is β€œall in” & open to whatever comes next

        Liked by 1 person

      6. Without mental static, intuition definitely becomes a powerful guide!

        Like

    2. I’ve found too-
      WILL power is a lot of the puzzle …
      determination
      both as in sheer might
      AND as in choosing wisely …

      worrying about stuff seems to make β€œit” worse
      & YES
      there is an amount of β€œdoing all one can”
      however, surrendering (NOT giving up, but giving IN)
      is crucial
      for myself,
      or I’d be as stark raving mad as I think I am
      when really I’m fine
      It’s just β€œanother day at the office”

      sleep is MAJOR important –
      it’s like recharging ones cell phone,
      the body, mind & spirit NEED the reset

      when stuff is simply β€œtoo much” – we all have our tolerance levels & support in any form
      is also necessary

      it’s not a sign of weakness, but rather the ultimate act of courage & strength to ask for help

      Liked by 2 people

      1. I’m with you on the sleep! Daytime naps are pretty important to me, lol!

        Liked by 1 person

      2. i enjoy a good β€œvictory nap” ANYtime of day/night πŸ™‚

        Liked by 1 person

  8. Haha! I’ve been there and it’s tough. It got easier once I approached it like a game, but maybe that’s just me.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I approach it like I’m a character in a tv show AND
      I’m also writing for my character …
      it feels less serious that way, like the β€œserious stuff” is less heavy
      & it all has a sense of meaningless meaning
      if that makes sense (!)

      Liked by 2 people

      1. The pervasive futility that resonates with truth! I think I understand.

        Liked by 2 people

      2. yeah…
        meaningLESSly living a meaningFUL life

        unless meaninglessness IS the meaning (!)

        Liked by 2 people

      3. Love the world play! πŸ˜„

        Liked by 2 people

      4. Thx – words are my friends πŸ™‚

        Liked by 2 people

    2. Sometimes it’s hard to have fun with it, but for me in those times I try to celebrate the small victories and try to find the opportunities that consequently arise, which is kinda like a game in my eyes…

      Liked by 1 person

    3. There’s a point, I suspect, where moving forward becomes more a matter of relaxing and allowing, rather than a paranoid search for if I did everything right or what I should do next. Maybe that’s just me, though…

      Liked by 2 people

    4. It’s happening! More sleep! πŸ˜„

      Liked by 2 people

    5. smALL victories needn’t be downgraded ….
      ALL victories R victories
      regardless of the β€œsize” or scope

      Yes to celebrating victories πŸ¦‹

      Liked by 2 people

    6. Well it sounds like you’re finally reaping a bit of reward for the hard work and seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Soon enough, you’ll be able to nap during the day, relaxing in a comfy pile of pillows and blankets! 😊

      Liked by 1 person

    7. You’ll get those soon enough! And then…dog naps! You’ll never get out bed! 😁

      Liked by 1 person

    8. Ugh, I can relate! Nothing pisses me off more than when I’m in bed trying to relax, but my body and mind know I should be up and doing something. I get itchy, my hands and feet will sweat, and my body randomly holds tension. There’s gotta be that balance of inflow and outflow.

      Liked by 1 person

  9. irony is the spice of life
    😏

    Liked by 1 person

  10. gwengrant Avatar
    gwengrant

    Thanks for this.
    Gwen.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. You’re welcome!

      Like

  11. Hello There. LOVE your posts and subject matter. Thank you for visiting my blogs. Take care. B.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you! I’m happy to support. Happy blogging!

      Like

    1. Thanks for the reblog!

      Like

      1. I really enjoyed it, thank you for sharing.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Absolutely! My pleasure.

        Like

  12. I agree, happiness starts on the inside.

    Liked by 2 people

  13. Anand Bose Avatar
    Anand Bose

    Nice

    Liked by 2 people

  14. Very well said. My husband needs to hear this and actually take it in. Well, me too, for that matter. Thanks!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. All part of my quest to continue devolving into a happy idiot. πŸ˜…

      Like

  15. Happiness to me is a lack of feeling stress, anxiety, or a combination therein. Almost like the nostalgia of childhood and utterly carefree. This to me is the essence of happiness boiled down. Everything else are contributors or variables enhancing the core emotion.

    Liked by 2 people

  16. Happiness is a quiet day were i do not have to act against malevolant degenerates! were i open my laptop and i have mail!…..or spooning my muse lol!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Think you’ll be happy today, then! πŸ˜‰

      Liked by 1 person

      1. moderately happy returned already!! you won’t survive the read! lol πŸ’¦

        Liked by 1 person

      2. I very much enjoyed reading about how you’d treat me! 😏

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Well art comes in many forms. lingusitc lovers as your always in the wrong place….just terminating some family extensions for redirection!

        Liked by 1 person

  17. Will i ….we shall see not recieved either yet! lol and i m desperate for my ….. ohhh ohh oh hhhh

    Liked by 1 person

    1. You’ve had it while reading my words, though, haven’t you? πŸ˜‰

      Liked by 1 person

      1. mini raptures, cellular spikes but no real climax…nearly taken the gingerbread man thanks to your naughty words! 😜

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Getting all hot and bothered, eh? 😏

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Horny πŸ”₯ 😈 my guards are restless! They want someone to play with! i just ate spicy chicken…..uhhh no taste buds….on fire!

        Liked by 1 person

      4. Probably similar to when you read one of my emails! πŸ˜‰

        Liked by 1 person

      5. lol! saves me trawling the web for other representations… sometimes i actually believe ti might hapen! lol and then i sit and realise you are just passing your time! x you are right though it gets my juices flowing!😈

        Liked by 1 person

      6. Gets the juices flowing, fingers moving! 🀣

        Liked by 1 person

      7. Tantric; jazz hands it messes with my sensory! The idea of possibility makes me πŸ”₯ 😈nier than i already am

        Liked by 1 person

      8. Combined with the kisses and skin-chilling breath, you wouldn’t be able to resist! 😏

        Liked by 1 person

      9. i do not have to worry about that the likley hood you will be sat by me is zero, they will just take you down to the allotted bike! i am a wasted safe! πŸ˜₯ you will just have to crack it whilst they are busy celebrating sitting with their murderers! lol 😏 πŸ’€. πŸ˜‚

        Liked by 1 person

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