“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorns have roses.”
~ Alphonse Karr
Someone commented recently on how lucky I was to have such an awesome life, and that having my life would make anyone happy. This was a person who had only just met me, and knew nothing of my chronic illness or any of the other complexities of my life. I tend to agree that I have an awesome life, despite some of my current circumstances. But I have also come to know that happiness is a choice.
The fact is that I AM happy most of the time, and more and more my life is beginning to be shaped in pleasing ways. But there are still many things in my life that are challenging, and sometimes downright devastating, be it my own health issues, deaths of friends, family or livestock and family illness and decline. None of us are immune to pain and suffering and I certainly have my share.
I came to a realisation years ago that I could either focus on the good things or focus on the bad. Focusing on the good helps you to feel better. Feeling better helps you climb out of the hole. When you feel good you are magnetic to more good. When you feel bad and ooze that vibration of misery and gloom, more of that stuff seems to come your way.
So, understanding that happiness is a choice, a discipline as much as a philosophy, has helped me to heal, to heal relationships, and to attract more love and friendship into my life. I’m not saying it’s easy to choose happiness, but it’s ALWAYS better than the alternative.
Activity:
Make a little time for some self-reflection. Take your journal, and over the next few weeks carefully and honestly answer the following questions?
- Who supports me in my life?
- What have I always been good at?
- What activities or things make me feel good about myself?
- How often do I experience these?
- Does my home environment reflect who I am?
- Does my work environment reflect who I am?
- How can I make small changes to help my surroundings mirror the inner me?
- Who erodes my sense of self? How do they do this? What can I do about it?
- What six small things can I do right now, in this next week, to reflect my inner worth and personality?
- What ten things have I always wanted to do, and that will be beneficial to my Soul and Sense of Self, but that I have not done yet?
Now use these answers to start making some changes. Thinking is always useful, but DOING is what makes the difference! Choose to focus on the positive and lift yourself up. I promise it makes a difference.
Much love to you, Nicole ❤ xx
