The Second Truth- Happiness

There are few things that I believe to be an absolute truth. The existence of God, the positive power of happiness, the destructive power of anger (a demon I continue to fight everyday), and the importance of being at  least a little bit crazy.  

PART 2: Happiness

        First of all, the above video is the greatest music video of all time.  If you disagree stop reading right the hell now, you and I have nothing further to discuss.... WAIT! NO! COME BACK! on second thought you might be the only one actually reading this, so we can agree to disagree, I thank you for continuing to read my blog (but will secretly resent you for all eternity).  To make sure we are all clear, that is Bobby McFerrin, NOT Bob Marley. (but that is Robin Williams in the Video)

       Happiness. Happiness and I were great friends growing up.  I had a fantastic childhood.  My parents are awesome.  I had great friends (some of whom are still my most valued relationships), I love the living crap out of my sister, my extended family is supportive, loving, and fun, a perfect recipe for a great childhood.  But somewhere along the way Happiness and I began to grow apart.  For a long time I thought that was simply because the world is a cruel place, out to get all of us, but the truth is, it was my fault.  I drove happiness away, for the better part of a decade.

       "Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions." -The Dalia Lama.  

It took me a long time to realize that.  I've read quite a few things from the  Dalia Lama over the years, but that quote had the most significant personal impact. Here's another one....

" I, not events have the power to make me happy or unhappy today.  I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn't arrived yet.  I have just one day, today, and I'm going to be happy 

in it." - Groucho Marx

       Don't get me wrong, I have bad days, I'm not always a vision of happiness, but I  continually and consciously work at it, and it makes all the difference.   Finding happiness is a different process for everyone, for me, meditation plays a key role in maintaining my outlook. It will probably be different for you, but the fact is, if you are reading this blog you have a reason to be happy.  More that likely you live in a country that doesn't understand the true meaning of poverty, and where true tragedy is simply a distant cousin that drops in every once in a while. You are more blessed than you can imagine. 

      But before you can learn to be happy, you have to learn to deal with worry (hence the video).  Two things help me deal with the stress and troubles of daily life.  The first is a scripture passage, Matthew 6:25-34, I won't post the scripture here (just to keep the entry concise) but the passage can be found in its entirety right here. In short, the passage is about the how worthless worry is. It also poses a fantastic question "Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?"  This is similar to a second philosophy summarized by the Dalia Lama (notice a trend?)  His approach to life's problems is simple. There are two kinds of problems in this world;  Problems that have solutions, and those that don't.  There is no point in worrying about a problem with a solution, because it is temporary, and can be resolved. As for the problems, that have no solution, there is no purpose served in worrying about those either.  If there is no solution, why waste the energy on something that cannot be changed?

       I urge you to find your happiness, work for it, it is absolutely worth the effort.  Discover the power of happiness, and remember "Don't worry, BE HAPPY!"