Gratitude and Happiness

Most of us believe that we will be happy “when.”  For example, we will be happier “when” we:

·         Lose weight

·         Get married

·         Get divorced

·         Earn more money

·         Inherit money

·         Win the lottery

·         Get a new job 

Those “when’s” can serve as motivation to achieve our goals.  But, accomplishing your goals will not ensure permanent happiness.

After goals are reached, a letdown occurs.  A kind of “what now?” can descend.  If happiness is dependent upon the accomplishment of goals, that means two things are certain:

·         Happiness will always be in the future

·         Happiness will fade when goals are achieved and new goals will have to be assumed

In other words, there is no peace if happiness is tied to goals.  There is a constant striving, a never-feeling-good –enough state of mind that prevents rest and the enjoyment of the moment.

Also, the happiness we imagined would follow the achievement of our goals – which might have been our effort to earn acceptance and a feeling that we are good enough – might never arrive.  Others might not suddenly accept us.  Lost weight might not guarantee a new partner.  The new money might not provide the freedom we hoped for.  The new job might change, or we might change.

“The secret of life is enjoying the passage of time.” – James Taylor

The truth is, we can be grateful NOW.  Not just when we lose weight, get married, get divorced, earn more money, etc.  The truth is, if we are not grateful NOW, we may live in a permanent state of waiting – waiting for something to happen that may never happen. 

What we CAN do is be grateful NOW.  How many things in your life are going wonderfully?  We all have things and issues we can work on-- relationships that aren’t perfect, bills that need to be paid, house repairs that need to be made, physical fitness to achieve.

But how great is it that we HAVE relationships, that we HAVE a place to live, and that our body is strong enough to exercise and work out?

Savoring the moment leads to gratitude, which leads to happiness.

The secret of happiness is gratitude.  As we are grateful now, we are happy now, and that happiness is not dependent upon anything else.