Where Happiness Begins
Happiness begins with us and we can find it right where we left it. Back in the beginning!
Think about it, at what point in our lives did we suddenly just stop doing the things we loved doing? At what point, did we just no longer do things we used to enjoy the most?
When did we stop:
- Dancing?
- Singing?
- Being silly?
- Telling jokes?
- Laughing and giggling about little things we thought were funny?
- Laughing out loud instead of holding it in?
- Smiling?
- Telling people exactly how we felt?
- Being creative and making up rules as we go?
When did we stop being so carefree?
Somewhere along the line, we just stopped. Someone or something taught us that it wasn’t okay to do those things or to BE those things. Somewhere, we learned that these things weren’t okay to do or that it wasn’t okay to be “ME”. We can’t truly enjoy life this way and we can’t be at peace this way either. Some of us know the exact moments in time where we stopped doing these things and for others, it was more of a gradual process.
Start noticing now.
If we don’t sing, dance, or allow ourselves to be silly while we’re sober then it’s no surprise as to why so many of us self-medicate or drink ourselves to death. No wonder why we are so lonely, anxious, angry, or depressed as people. Aside from the additional constraints that life bestows upon us, it often goes unrecognized that we don’t ALLOW ourselves to experience joy or pleasure. In fact, many of us reject joy, pleasure, or even the love that people so desperately are trying to give us.
We’ve become so disconnected from ourselves, each other, and the feeling of joy itself that the only lens we’re capable of looking through is of pain, disappointment, anguish, or despair. If we want to see and feel a new life before us, we have to start lifting the veil.
Think back to when you first learned it wasn’t okay to play, to be loud, to be silly, or to just be yourself. What kinds of things were you doing prior to that, that you genuinely enjoyed doing? Make a list. START DOING THEM AGAIN.
We need to unlearn some of the unhelpful and harmful patterns people have taught us over the years (whether it was well intended or not) and START LIVING FOR OURSELVES again.
Regain freedom.
This doesn’t mean just doing whatever you want and selfishly pushing people out of the way or walking all over them so you can do as you please. After all, there’s a difference between being carefree and being inconsiderate. However, it does mean to simply go find yourself again. This time, intentionally. Chances are the fun, silly, and quirky little kid that you once were is STILL there and, truth be told, they were ALREADY amazing and inherently whole.
Think of the children in your life today. Would you tell them to sit down, shut up, and to stop being who they are because they’re not good enough for the world? NO. So go find yourself again! That younger version of you probably has a lot to say and we can learn a lot from them. Start knowing them again so they can show you (and us) the way!
Abundant Light Counseling’s
surrounding service areas include but are not limited to:
Woodbury, MN
Cottage Grove, MN
Inver Grove Heights, MN
St. Paul, MN
Mendota Heights, MN
Minneapolis, MN
Stillwater, MN
White Bear Lake, MN
To book an appointment call Beth Anderson, M.Ed., LPCC at 507-412-6855 or book online at www.abundantlightllc.com/contact
