By Lisa Cypers Kamen.
I want, I wish, only if… are some of the phrases we use to describe an ambiguous point in our future when we will have what we think we need to be happy. In the present moment, we are left feeling unfulfilled. We are living with a sense of longing for a brighter future. We are hoping to change our current situation so that we can finally, finally be happy. And what are the things we need to be happy? A relationship? A new home? A new car? A new job? New toys?
There are many, many requirements we have for happiness. How long are we going to wait until we decide that we are happy–whether or not our life changes to meet our expectations?
Quite possibly our expectations are blocking the road to happiness. After all, we can be happy right here and right now if we choose it.
Our H-Factor, or our happiness factor, is not dependent on external circumstances. We live in a material world where success and status is measured by the quantity of material possessions we acquire, and this persuades us to believe that we will find happiness through acquisition of possessions. We spend many years of our lives acquiring the things we think will bring us happiness.
Of course, there can be great enjoyment and pleasure in material belongings, but beneath it all, this is not the source of our happiness. At some pint our longing can get the best of us. Are we like bowls with holes in them, never able to be completely filled up? Or, at some point do we become filled, satisfied and realize we have enough?
Our happiness comes from a deep and untouchable place within us. When we stop seeking the answer to our happiness from the outside world, we realize that happiness is a state of being that exists within us. Happiness is available to all and can exist regardless of external circumstances at any point and time. All we need to do to find nirvana is make a choice. We can choose to be happy. We ultimately find our happiness within the inner sanctum of ourselves.
Lisa Cypers Kamen is a filmmaker, positive psychology coach, author, host of Harvesting Happiness Talk Radio, professor and lecturer specializing in the field of sustainable happiness. She is widely recognized as an expert on the subject. Lisa’s acclaimed documentary film co-produced with her now fifteen year-old daughter, Kayla, “H-Factor…Where is your heart?” explores how people in varied circumstances find, generate and share happiness. In addition to her film on happiness, Lisa has also published a number of articles and books entitled, Got Happiness Now?, Are We Happy Yet?, Leadership: Helping Others to Succeed and Reintegration Strategies, about combat trauma and using positive psychology principles to create wellness in a post-war new normal. Lisa’s written work is featured on blogs for the Huffington Post, PositivelyPositive.com and InspireMeToday.com and she is a TEDx community event speaker. In addition, she is the Happiness Expert for the Florida Department of Citrus/ Florida Orange Juice in its Take on the Day campaign.
Harvesting Happiness for Heroes™ is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation that delivers stigma-free integrated combat trauma recovery services to warriors and their loved ones. Modalities include scientifically proven strengths based Positive Psychology coaching and interdisciplinary tools such as film, yoga, meditation, art and creative writing designed to mindfully empower the client to achieve increased self-mastery, self-esteem and reclaim her/his life. HH4Heroes focuses on the balance of mind, body and emotion resulting in greater overall wellbeing and the transformation of Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS) into Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG). HH4Heroes offers retreat workshops, one-on-one coaching, Battle Buddy programs, as well as our new R.E.B.O.O.T Online virtual community coaching classrooms designed to reach underserved areas. In addition, HH4Heroes deploys Return to Duty™ civilian and corporate training to help welcome a warrior home and into the community and workplace.
Lisa is committed to teaching Happiness is an inside job™ and helping others end their needless suffering through intentionally cultivating greater joy.
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