Recently I bought a compelling t-shirt that says "Choose happiness." These 2 words offer a profound message.  In "these times" where many feel the added stress of the economy, perhaps accompanied by fear and loss, we are called to explore a critical question.  Where does happiness come from?
 
The past couple months I felt the impact of smooshing 2 year's worth of events into one year and I was tuckered out.  Tipping in and out of fatigue, I caught two colds since September!  On the "off" days, I was cranky; it was harder to be happy and optimistic when I was sick and tired!  And then I'd remember all those who live gracefully amidst chronic illness, continuing to emanate a sense of peace and joy.  Remarkable.  And possible.
 
Here's where I believe happiness comes from:
Acceptance
Sometimes life isn't smooth and easy.  Certainly no one would choose to have the stock market be funky, however, that's how it is right now.  Acceptance lends itself to freedom and toward happiness.  When we stop swimming upstream and instead flow with the current, we are more likely to enjoy the ride, even if we weren't intending to go that direction.  Allowing, without resistance, creates breath for the flame of happiness to burn again.  So when I'm tired, instead of being irritated and trying to push through, I can simply admit that I'm tired, accept it, and lay down.
 
Connection
Millions of human beings do not exist on this planet by mere coincidence.  We are here for one another.  It strikes me as ludicrous how many people in our community suffer loneliness.  Totally unnecessary!  This is the perfect time and opportunity to release the convenient, self-contained way of life and begin to extend a hand to our neighbors.  Seek similarities and look beyond seeming differences.  Reach out as an offering; be generous in spirit and kindness.  It is not about the balance of your bank account but the richness of your heart and soul.
 
Simplicity
Simplicity creates space for life to flourish.  The more stuff we cram into a house, into a day, into our minds, the less capacity we have for enjoyment.  Although abundance can create a sense of stability, when misdirected or overextended, it can trap us into a draining lifestyle.  We expend massive energy maintaining and accumulating stuff.
 
Life sustaining elements aside, it is easy to forget that truly, we have everything we need.  In any given moment, there is generally no danger, no immediate "must have," aside from breath.  And yet, we often get drawn into the drama of overdeveloped or misdirected desire, where we feel like we must have, be, attain or experience something and then we'll be happy.  Sadly, this is a never-ending game.  We must become conscious of it and choose a new path.  There is a great distinction between enjoying the comforts of life and not feeling comfortable in your life until you have things a certain way. 
 
Happiness is a choice. 
 
You may need some "happiness jumper cables" (see the "Happiness Jumper Cables" sidebar and "Inspirational Central" at the bottom), to refocus your attention onto what is wonderful about your life, or to stop racing around in search of "it" (IT accompanies you wherever you go!)
 
Stillness
I'd forgotten the feeling of stillness in my body.  For several years (until I got my dog Cooper 1½ years ago), I "meditated" each morning for 5-30 minutes.  In those years, I knew stillness, if only moments.  Okay, so sometimes I'd peek at the clock 5 times in ten minutes, having no sense for what ten minutes of non-action felt like.  However, there is nothing that offers me a greater sense of wholeness, fulfillment, happiness, calm, or insight than meditation-- when I rest within the quiet. In those moments, it is very clear why I'm here, what is important to the big picture, and how powerful I actually am when connected to the expansive and invisible "beyond." (God, universe, source energy, higher power etc.)
 
Sadly however, we often are so far from stillness that we have no idea that we are NOT still or what it even feels like.  It is like an undiscovered foreign country that we don't even know we need to visit.  Just like how you never knew how good you could feel (or how stressed you were), until on vacation.
 
Please trust me on this, especially if you are a stranger to stillness.  You can't imagine the happiness that is available through total non-effort.  Start with 5 or 10 minutes a day and within a few days, you will notice the difference, I swear.  (Start with a recorded meditation/visualization if you are like me and need to give your mind something to do. Dr. Sue Morter has some great ones.)

Much gratitude and joy,
Robin