Hey Friend!
I hope you found pockets of joy during the week!
I'm sitting here with my thoughts today, pondering something that's been on my mind lately. It's a notion that's danced around the edges of my consciousness, whispering in my ear during quiet moments. The question that's been haunting me is simple yet profound: Can happiness be scary? Is the pursuit of happiness a path that's laden with both pain and discipline?
You see, I've been reflecting on the life I've been living, and I've come to realize that I might have been caught in a comforting but misleading bubble. It's a bubble that often glorifies a simplistic view of human experiences – one where happiness is seen as the ultimate destination, a final stop that comes effortlessly.
But in the past few days, I've started to see that the journey toward happiness isn't always a well-beaten path. It's individualistic and, in many ways, unpracticed. It's not something that just happens; it's something that requires unwavering dedication, intention, and practice.
I've had to grapple with my own preconceptions. Contrary to the whimsical images of cotton candy and endless chocolate fountains that sometimes dance through my mind, I've realized that happiness isn't merely a fleeting indulgence.
It's not about reaching a certain goal, but rather about the continuous process of building something beautiful.
It's as delicate as a newborn baby, demanding our constant attention and care. And like any growing being, happiness requires not just our vigilance but our ability to recognize and celebrate the small, incremental changes along the way.
For me, I've come to understand that happiness is a fruit, a beautiful one, hanging from the branches of a tree called joy.
It's a realization that joy isn't about the absence of pain or hardship. It's a state of mind, a mindset that remains consistently hopeful, perpetually grateful.
This line of thinking brought to mind a conversation I had with someone recently. We were discussing the way we pray for patience. The notion was raised that when we pray for patience, God often places us in situations that challenge us and, in turn, develop our patience. So, if patience is something we must practice, why wouldn't the same be true for joy?
This idea stuck with me, and as I delved deeper into protecting my own happiness, I've realized that happiness isn't something to be safeguarded like a fragile treasure. It's a fruit, and to cultivate it, you need to exercise the muscle called joy.
This revelation led to a fundamental shift in my perspective. I moved from merely protecting my happiness to actively choosing joy, from guarding a treasure to tending to a garden.
It's a shift in focus that's not always easy, and at times, it feels like embarking on an uncharted journey into the unknown. But I've come to believe that it's a journey worth taking.
So, I invite you to join me in this exploration of happiness, joy, and the path that lies ahead. Share your own thoughts and experiences in the comments. How do you protect your happiness, and what role does joy play in your life?
With introspection and optimism,
Oibiee