Now that I think of it, it seems rather silly. I thought if I went to bed at night with NO dirty dishes in the sink or on the counter, I would be happy. My contentment and peace of mind was totally dependent on my ability to keep my kitchen clean.
Do you base your happiness on external factors?
If only I:
- Lost ten pounds, I would be happy.
- Had more money, I would be happy.
- Had a boyfriend/girlfriend, I would be happy.
- Could publish a book, I would be happy.
- Had a cat, I would be happy.
Fill in the blank. If only I_________________, then I will be happy.
It won’t work.
No matter what you write on the line, it will not make you happy.
Nothing can “Make you Happy.”
Losing ten pounds, having more money and a boyfriend or girlfriend, publishing a book and having a cat to live with are all good things.
But.
There is only one way to have true happiness.
1. Control your thoughts.
Happiness doesn’t depend on any external conditions, it is governed by our mental attitude.
Dale Carnegie
The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.”
― Marcus Aurelius, Meditations
The secret of happiness is not in doing what one likes, but in liking what one does.”
― J.M. Barrie
Is that the right answer? Will controlling your thoughts make you happy?
No.
It will help.
How you perceive your world will help with your attitude.
But.
It won’t make you happy.
If you only think of yourself you will never be happy
Those who are not looking for happiness are the most likely to find it, because those who are searching forget that the surest way to be happy is to seek happiness for others.
―Martin Luther King Jr.
Is that the right answer?
No.
It will help.
But.
There is only one way to be truly content.
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.
Hebrews 13:5
True joy comes from being content with what you have. You have God.
And with God –
There is fullness of Joy
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Psalm 16:11 ESV
Are you content with what you have?
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Yesterday I went to bed with a clean kitchen. There were no dirty dishes in the sink or on the counter. All the laundry was washed, folded and put away. The kitchen floor was swept and the kitchen counters were wiped down. All seven litter boxes are clean and I walked two miles.
But.
I didn’t wake up happy this morning.
I was looking in the wrong place for my happiness.
I looked for happiness in external things. A clean kitchen, clean litter boxes, and in exercise. I didn’t do any acts of kindness, and I didn’t seek God’s presence.
Today will be different.
What makes you happy?
