Happiness must be created
For it can never be found.
All too often, in my private psychotherapy practice, I hear people say that they are trying so hard to find happiness.
The next job, the next big move, the next romantic relationship, having the next kid, etc., will open the door to life’s happiness. Some go inward and say that if they had different parents, if they didn’t have their traumas, physical ailments, or disabilities, they would be happy.
Still, others place happiness above material things… cars, boats, planes, sexual partners, and clothes…
Momentary gratification is what all the things mentioned above will get you. I’m not saying it is bad, but it’s momentary. What happens when the excitement of the new “thing” wears off? Well, the answer is that you chase the next thing, the next thing, and so on.
You’re not that far off, though. The issue isn’t with the result but with the perception of the result.
I mean that the chase of momentary happiness in the “now” moment is not bad. The bad comes into play when you allow the inanimate object to take control of your implied happiness.
Here is an exercise:
Look at the story's picture. Allow your mind to wander and see what images you can conjure up. Let the creative imagination flow!
