Don’t oursource your own happiness
May 12, 2009 – 8:16 amEver share something very personal with another person and get a “flat” reponse? You know the kind of response I mean. It as if they didn’t hear you, didn’t care or didn’t register any emotion whatsoever to what you just poured out there.
What do you do when that happens?
Used to be that I would get angry and frustrated at the other person. How dare they not realize the importance of my statement. Don’t they understand, blah blah blah. Can you see the line of thinking? It’s all about them.
These days, I try to catch myself in this type of reactionary mode. If I’m lucky enough to do so, I can them shift my thinking back where it belongs, to me.
Then I can ask the difficult questions:
Why is it so important to me that they hear me?
Why am I hanging on what they say, do or feel?
A wise person recently said, “whenever you outsource your happiness to another person, place or thing, you are setting yourself up for disappointment, because whatever happens will never come from within. Seek instead to be your own source of contentment.”
Sure, it’s easier said than done, but even baby steps can get you there.
5 Responses to “Don’t oursource your own happiness”
You get it.
You are in control of your happiness. That was a wake up call!!!!!!!!!!! Caroline
By caroline Farrar on May 12, 2009
HAPPINESS is where YOU find it…it should not be controlled by others….
By Marie Gandy on May 12, 2009
Yep, I understand and am learning that too.
By Janine Marthai on May 12, 2009
I am smiling–plus understanding the wisdom of your comments today..Love, geny
By Geny Morrison on May 12, 2009
It is just like Abraham Lincoln said, ” a man is just about as happy as he decides he wants to be”. Attitude can be changed if you practice by starting with cheerful words even when you have troubles inside. As you said easier said sometimes than to do.
By Barbara Knight on May 13, 2009