It is SO human to be expecting for the right moment to do the move of our lives, to take that vital decision and complete what has been left to be happy. Yes. When we are in the midst of an adverse situation we usualy believe that circumstances have to be some how self-aligned in order that we decide to be brave and keep going forward.
Listen close- It seemed like if happiness depended on what happens! But it must not be like this. YOUR happiness must depend ONLY on what YOU think. Happiness is not based on what happens but rather on how you interpret a given situation.
I recall that chapter from the fascinanting book from Miguel Cervantes de Saavedra, “Don Quijote de la Mancha”, in which he is traveling mounting his horse “Rocinante”. Don Qujote comes to a certain point in which he finds these huge wind mills.
Don Qujote then wrongly interpret these wind mills are giants attacking him! He starts “fighting” these “giants” and he sincerily believes he is going to beat them. Quijote is fighting them to give honor to Dulcinea, his muse.
I do not need to mention the fact that his spear becomes broken and his body harmed -as well as his pride!- after trying to stab the “giants” with his middle ages spear and having fallen from Rocinante!
Ask your self- Am I fighting wind mills in my life? Am I interpreting some how these present opportunities to grow as problems to keep me out of focusing the real goals of my life?
You and ONLY you have the true answer. Have you been lately fighting “giants” in your family, job or else?
Wake up and realize that being happy will depend only in how you interpret what is going in your life!
I want to encourage you -and my self! – with this last quote from my friend Marcel Proust – “The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes”.
Shift your state of mind and find happiness right away!!
Blessings and kisses,
Jamie Velasco
Twitter: @EMPOWERurPOWER
Jamie this is an excellent post and it reminded me of a poem that says it better than I ever could. I hope you don’t mind me including it here, but it really makes the point beautifully…
THE STATION
By Robert J. Hastings
TUCKED AWAY in our subconscious minds is an idyllic vision in which we see ourselves on a long journey that spans an entire continent. We’re traveling by train and, from the windows, we drink in the passing scenes of cars on nearby highways, of children waving at crossings, of cattle grazing in distant pastures, of smoke pouring from power plants, of row upon row upon row of cotton and corn and wheat, of flatlands and valleys, of city skylines and village halls.
But uppermost in our conscious minds is our final destination–for at a certain hour and on a given day, our train will finally pull into the Station with bells ringing, flags waving, and bands playing. And once that day comes, so many wonderful dreams will come true. So restlessly, we pace the aisles and count the miles, peering ahead, waiting, waiting, waiting for the Station.
“Yes, when we reach the Station, that will be it!” we promise ourselves. “When we’re eighteen. . . win that promotion. . . put the last kid through college. . . buy that 450SL Mercedes-Benz. . . have a nest egg for retirement!”
From that day on we will all live happily ever after.
Sooner or later, however, we must realize there is no Station in this life, no one earthly place to arrive at once and for all. The journey is the joy. The Station is an illusion–it constantly outdistances us. Yesterday’s a memory, tomorrow’s a dream. Yesterday belongs to a history, tomorrow belongs to God. Yesterday’s a fading sunset, tomorrow’s a faint sunrise. Only
today is there light enough to love and live.
So, gently close the door on yesterday and throw the key away. It isn’t the burdens of today that drive men mad, but rather regret over yesterday and the fear of tomorrow. Regret and fear are twin thieves who would rob us of today.
“Relish the moment” is a good motto, especially when coupled with Psalm 118:24, “This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”
So stop pacing the aisles and counting the miles. Instead, swim more rivers, climb more mountains, kiss more babies, count more stars. Laugh more and cry less. Go barefoot oftener. Eat more ice cream. Ride more merry-go-rounds. Watch more sunsets. Life must be lived as we go along. The Station will come soon enough.
So true Jamie! Happiness isn’t about not having troubles, struggles or difficult situations in life but how we can overcome them, move on and focus on the good. Happiness is counting our blessings.
Thank you for your amazing post today. I am tarting a new business again, (after selling a once successful one that, well, became not so successful) …..and it is not always easy.
Every day I just learn to “put the next right foot forward”. Meeting people like you makes the journey a lot more fun.
Thank you for your inspiration.
XO
Wendy
Jamie this is great! I love reading positive and inspiring thoughts.
Never allow negative feelings or people to halt your pursuit of happiness and peace.
Exactly! Happiness is not something you attain. It’s a way of moving through the world. It’s a way of being. I have a couple of videos on You Tube (In Life Awareness) talking about this exact topic. I love it! Thanks for spreading the word!
Great Post Jamie.
Cervante’s Don Quijote never stopped reaching for something better on his quest. I also love the theme song from the play that was inspired by this story. Here is a link to “The Impossible Dream” from Man of la Mancha. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AijRBQf-ato
We may not want to spend our lives tilting at windmills, but yet, how much will we miss if we stop trying to reach the unreachable star.
Again, thank you for your post.
Joan
Great post Jamie~ As always, great insight. I am so grateful for your contribution to the world and all you do! Your post reminds me of the famous Will Shakespeare quote:
“There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so”.
Keep up the great work Jamie and keep smiling! YOU are wonderful!
Thank you very much for the advise. Just one question- I don´t understand what great piece ´The Station´ we´re talking about here. Can you clear this for me, please? Thank you so much!
Jamie thank u do much for this post
!
You & I ate kindred spirits…
Hope u write more
Xoxo
Tried to comment earlier, but don’t know if it posted ~ this is an awesome post
!
We are kindred spirits
Oops I didn’t mean “ate”
!
I meant are kindred spirits
I think it very selfish to want what is arround me to keep me happy without at least wondering if I am in the unhappy situation because I am supposed to bring the happiness to the situation. I often ask myself “When my time to die comes will the world be a little better because I had been here”.
Nice post Jamie – good to get our feet back on the ground once in a while and appreciate the truly good things in our loives are already in place.
Regards
Martin
Love the job on Happiness, laid out beautifully. Great job, Jamie!!