The biggest mistake people make is to seek happiness through others instead of seeking it within themselves.
I have always been a happy and positive person, but after a trip this summer, I can honestly say I am more at peace with who I am and happier than I have ever been in my life. So you may be asking where I went that made such an impact on my life. It wasn't a trip around the world and it didn't cost a fortune. It wasn't extravagant and wouldn't make most people jealous. But for me...it was perfect! I went on a solo vacation.
Yep...I went on vacation by myself. I left for a 5 day excursion to the mountains of western Massachusetts. For 5 days I traveled at my own pace. I hiked, kayaked, dined on amazing food, swam, and met some amazing people. I slowed down for one of the first times in a long time and enjoyed all of the sights and sounds of my travels. I took my time with every experience over those 5 days and even journaled my thoughts and feelings.
Because it is 2015, I published a lot of my travels through Facebook. I was amazed at how many people said they were inspired by me and my solo vacation. Some people told me they could never travel alone. Those comments made me think. A lot. Why couldn't they travel alone? Would they get bored? Would they get lonely? What prevents some people from being able to experience aspects of life alone? Do they depend on others too often for entertainment and enjoyment? If so, then I hope that one day they realize that once they find happiness within themselves, the joy others bring is tenfold.
We should love ourselves more than we love others. We should be able to laugh at ourselves, reflect on our feelings, and make decisions that benefit our own lives. I am a firm believer that once we find happiness within ourselves, happiness with other aspects of our lives just seems to fall in place.
So instead of waiting for someone else to make you happy, make yourself happy. Become involved in activities that bring you enjoyment. Make decisions based on your desires and not others'. Reflect on the character traits you have that you may wish to change and change them. Be the person you want to be, not who others may want you to be. We have one life, and man does it go by fast. Live it to the fullest. Enjoy every moment. Find something positive in every day. Sure, we all have experiences that are tough to deal with and make life more challenging, but it is how we respond to them that impacts our happiness. I make the decision every day to be happy. It is a choice.
I have always been a happy and positive person, but after a trip this summer, I can honestly say I am more at peace with who I am and happier than I have ever been in my life. So you may be asking where I went that made such an impact on my life. It wasn't a trip around the world and it didn't cost a fortune. It wasn't extravagant and wouldn't make most people jealous. But for me...it was perfect! I went on a solo vacation.
Yep...I went on vacation by myself. I left for a 5 day excursion to the mountains of western Massachusetts. For 5 days I traveled at my own pace. I hiked, kayaked, dined on amazing food, swam, and met some amazing people. I slowed down for one of the first times in a long time and enjoyed all of the sights and sounds of my travels. I took my time with every experience over those 5 days and even journaled my thoughts and feelings.
Because it is 2015, I published a lot of my travels through Facebook. I was amazed at how many people said they were inspired by me and my solo vacation. Some people told me they could never travel alone. Those comments made me think. A lot. Why couldn't they travel alone? Would they get bored? Would they get lonely? What prevents some people from being able to experience aspects of life alone? Do they depend on others too often for entertainment and enjoyment? If so, then I hope that one day they realize that once they find happiness within themselves, the joy others bring is tenfold.
We should love ourselves more than we love others. We should be able to laugh at ourselves, reflect on our feelings, and make decisions that benefit our own lives. I am a firm believer that once we find happiness within ourselves, happiness with other aspects of our lives just seems to fall in place.
So instead of waiting for someone else to make you happy, make yourself happy. Become involved in activities that bring you enjoyment. Make decisions based on your desires and not others'. Reflect on the character traits you have that you may wish to change and change them. Be the person you want to be, not who others may want you to be. We have one life, and man does it go by fast. Live it to the fullest. Enjoy every moment. Find something positive in every day. Sure, we all have experiences that are tough to deal with and make life more challenging, but it is how we respond to them that impacts our happiness. I make the decision every day to be happy. It is a choice.