Are You Sick of Hearing The Word Happy?

Happy - oh what a word.

Nonstop bombardment of how to be happy, why to be happy, what to be happy about.

Happy happy happy. Happy!!!!!!!!

Okay, I get it. I've used it quite a bit.

And I've learned that it can rub people the wrong way. The last thing I want to do is create an anti-happiness movement, so I'd like to take this opportunity to clarify what exactly I mean when I say happy. Or fulfilled. Both are interchangeable in the context of this blog. But first...

Being happy does not mean that:

• You don't, or shouldn't feel sadness, anger, grief, or sorrow

• You need to feel guilty if you're not happy

• You're always smiling

• You're always laughing

• You always appear to be in a jolly good mood

• You're always motivated

• You always feel purpose

• You're always generous to others

• You're always serving others

• You radiate light 24/7

No, no, and no. If you're thinking about happiness this way while reading my blog, you're mistaken. Of course, all of these feel good, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with feeling anything that's genuine.

But lots of genuine feelings don't feel good, and it's still important to experience those. In the context of my blog and the way I use the word happy, you can absolutely be happy on the inside 100% of the time while experiencing outer emotions of sadness, anger, or discomfort in any way.

Happiness doesn't always equal smiles.

What I do mean by happiness, or fulfillment, is the following:

• A deep sense of inner peace

• Inner calm amidst any outer storm

• Full acceptance of any and all emotions

• Living in the present

• Not resisting what is

• Complete acceptance and harmony with reality

• Full participation with the moments unfolding in front of you

• A separation between you, the one who feels and thinks, and your feelings and thoughts themselves

• Pure awareness

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