The Path to Happiness: Truth

Well, I’ve been talking a lot about what happiness is, and after this week, I want to talk about an essential ingredient to getting there.

Truth.

You HAVE to be honest about where you are and how you feel. About life. About yourself. About your friends. About your career.

Everything.

This week, one of my best friends found out that a serious medical issue is back for her. And I have to tell you that happiness has been the farthest thing from my mind these past days. I love her. I root for her. And she does the same for me. She’s embraced my new life and reads my books–even though she’s never read a romance–and just continues to be the shining light that she is.

So this news hurt. Bad. 

And I had to be honest with myself about it. I couldn’t talk myself into saying, “Oh, I feel happy today.” That wasn’t my truth. I had to admit it hurt and then work with what I was feeling in order to have the peace, faith, and hope that we can find in any situation if we search for it. 

I don’t want The Happiness Corner Blog to ever be a Pollyanna version of life. I do believe happiness is possible and a gift. But I also wanted to say today that sometimes life really throws us a curve ball, and it hurts like hell. And makes you mad. We’ve all been there.

Admit it. Be honest. Speak the truth.

If we don’t, we can’t move through it to the good stuff: the momentary happiness we can feel in the tough times. Like today when I held the one-month-old baby boy of a dear friend. Here’s this little guy all tucked up against me, looking at me with those big brown eyes, and I thought, yes, there is blessing everywhere. Everything is in order, even if I don’t understand it right now. 

So, when you aren’t happy, be truthful with yourself and others. Hopefully you know why. If you’re really aware, you’ll know what to do for yourself. If not, seek out the happy people in your life and ask them what they do when life throws them a curve ball. Some people play with their kids. Others eat ice cream (I’m not talking about a binge here). While still another might read a book. 

Be good to yourself in those moments. Your happiness is not lost. 

Your truth will always show you the way to it again. 

 

Image courtesy of winnond at FreeDigitalPhotos.net