Perception of Happiness

"Happiness is not determined by what is happening around you,

 but rather what's happening inside you."

Anonymous 

At some point in our development, we tell our lovely selves that when we grow up, we are always going to be happy.  We think of happiness as a space in our lives that we will control, filling it with joy, exuberance, and magic.  

Happiness, however, is a state of mind.  It is not dependent upon others as much as it is impacted by our thoughts.  How we feel inside impacts our perception of what is or is not happiness.  What makes one person happy, might trigger a sadness in one other.  We do not necessarily perceive happiness the same.

When we maintain a healthy connection with our inner life, we experience degrees of happiness.  If we live moment to moment, we are less likely to become stuck.  We enjoy frequent glimpses of happy emotions or thoughts, and allow them to bring meaning into our lives, but also let them go.