Many people say that happiness is gratitude, and I agree, although only partially. After all, we need to remind ourselves that we often have much more than others and yet still find reasons to complain that it’s not enough. In this way, gratitude puts everything into perspective, reminding us that we are doing great, that we have enough, and therefore, we are enough.
For example, yesterday I saw a person in a wheelchair. For them, the ability to walk and run is something they desire, while the rest of us who are not limited in this way often take it for granted, often not appreciating it enough, leading to a sedentary lifestyle and ultimately poor health.
Sadly, we often only realize how good we had it once something is gone, such as when we grow older, become less capable, or suddenly are unable to do something. This is where gratitude comes in, to appreciate what we have, marvel at and enjoy what we have which, for most people, is more than enough to be happy.
However, this does not mean that people who look ahead are wrong. They are not, but only partially so, as we should keep an eye on the present, past, and future. We should be grateful for what we have, what we had, and what is gone, while also striving for something more.
The road towards more can be treacherous, as people often get lost and become depressed when they realize they do not have what they want, regardless of how much they already possess. This is one reason why many rich people continue to struggle with depression, while others believe they would be happy if they even had a fraction of what the rich possess.
So while looking ahead is important, we must ensure that we do not overly concern ourselves with reaching a specific goal. For example, I should be satisfied with the work I am doing while also striving for the next promotion. In this way, even if I receive the promotion, stay where I am, or get a demotion, my emotional well-being and satisfaction should remain consistent, accepting each circumstance as it comes. And this is ultimately how one achieves Optimal Happiness.
We cannot control the world, so although we work towards improving our well-being, we should also realize that change is inevitable and results are never guaranteed. So if something happens, does not, or somehow makes our situation worse, we must acknowledge that it was always a possibility, accepting our life circumstances for whatever they may be, as this is the only real way to find mental well-being and happiness, with gratitude ultimately teaching us to be content with life, with its highs and lows, while simultaneously helping us strive for more.
Finally, for additional tips and tricks on the topic of happiness, please continue reading this blog or explore our other offerings, such as happiness coaching.
Stay happy!
