Thoughts of Happiness
by Laurie Wilhelm
Happiness is an inside job. It’s an emotional consequence to positive thoughts – when we think positive thoughts, we’ll have positive feelings and those positive feelings will probably feel like happiness. Likewise, when we think negative thoughts, we’ll have negative feelings. I doubt it’s possible to think negative thoughts and feel happy and vice versa.
Sometimes, we can wallow in our ‘default’ thoughts – the constant flow of thoughts that swirl around in our minds as we go about our daily activities. These can often be negative as our minds tend to drift to our problems rather than focus on the good that is happening in our lives. Since we can choose what we’re thinking, if we make our default thoughts positive we’re more likely to be positive and happier too.
To stop being overtaken by repetitive, negative default thinking, I have a “Good List” at the ready so I can bring in positive thoughts almost immediately. This is simply a list that I’ve created in advance of good situations, circumstances and friends in my life and I can refer to it at any time. It refocuses my mind-space from negative to positive.
At times when I’m facing a negative situation, reflecting on this list doesn’t magically make my problems go away nor allow me to ignore what’s going on. It does, however, stop me from dwelling on the negative experience and helps me to shift my attitude so I can find a positive solution.
As well, when I actively think about what’s good in my life and what I’m grateful for, I’m more inclined to be friendlier, kinder and more complimentary to those around me. Thinking happy on the inside is reflected on the outside by the way we treat and interact with others. If we’re feeling good we’re quicker to smile, to give someone a hand, or pay attention to the needs of others. If we’re absorbed in negative thoughts, we’re probably focusing on ourselves and pay little notice to how we can help another.
Being in a positive frame of mind makes life easier. It’s easier to make friends, it’s easier to work in groups, it’s easier to talk with others, it’s easier to be liked…it even makes being stuck in traffic easier. I believe that happiness is really all in our heads.
photo©iStockphoto.com/juanestey
