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Happiness
involves total commitment. The right mind-set enables us to
live a happy lifestyle. By setting strong intentions towards
living a happier lifestyle, you give life a purpose. Being
happy involves consistent effort and must be improved upon
daily.
Total commitment is the key towards achieving happiness. I
have learned from my own experience that it does take a lot
of devotion to stay happy, especially if things aren't always
going as you expected. Everyone experiences ups and downs,
and there are various ways to realistically cope with them.
When things are in order and all is well, being happy comes
effortlessly. Having an optimistic attitude truly takes you
far in life.Dealing With Your Issues
Start by confronting issues within your social life. What
are some of the bad patterns you've created? This step means
you'll have to ask yourself direct questions: What kind of
vibe do I give off? How responsible am I? Why does it seem
as if people dislike me? Why have I lost so many valuable
friendships? Facing issues such as these are challenging.
You'll be entering an uncomfortable zone. It takes a lot of
courage and time to revisit old disappointments that are usually
the source of our problems. You should vow to keep control
of your relationships, addictions or whatever self-destructive
behavior that comes up repeatedly. Areas in your life that
have constantly kept you in emotional confusion or turmoil
must be faced.
Your Individual Rights
As Black Americans, many of us work overtime to stay happy.
In our relationships with other women, men, contemporaries
and society many of us are still acting in dysfunctional ways.
We are directly affected by centuries of psychological oppression.
Some of our cultural values have been put on the line. There
are many issues that are ignored and many questions that aren't
even asked. Why is there so much violence within many urban
Black communities? Why are so many of us perceived as pessimistic,
dangerous, full of rage, radical, or associated with anything
else negative towards ourselves and others? Why do we give
up so easily? Optimism, to us, is perceived as something that
is nearly impossible. Too many have low expectations of each
other. This horrible belief system is deeply rooted within
our past.
We are very gifted people. The sky is the limit toward advancing
ourselves. Yet when it comes to happiness, too many of us
lack an idea of who we really are mentally, and physically.
From political, societal and individual standpoints, we also
have trouble finding a way to fit in to the grand scheme of
things.
Daily social injustices overwhelm us. Social refinement will
set us free. For starters, we need to honestly ask ourselves
direct questions. All of our self-destructive habits will
end once we identify our issues and create positive approaches
towards changing them. We must take full responsibilities
for our actions as a people. Some of us believe if we don't
expect much out of a situation, there is no reason to be disappointed.
This negative outlook on life has been passed on for generations,
resulting from extreme oppression. When a group of people
is repressed psychologically, it is challenging to recover.
However, many have shown resistance towards oppression. We
are a strong people, considering the fact that we've experienced
and survived extreme adversity. Pain and suffering are two
things we must not allow to define or furthermore engulf our
entire sense of being. Pessimism should not be embraced. We
are free to express ourselves and shouldn't let so many of
the restrictions our ancestors have gone through affect us
in the same ways. Yet at the same time, it is essential that
we acknowledge the hardships our ancestors went through in
order for us to have many of the freedoms we have today. We
must no longer take things for granted. We must acknowledge
the past, present and future. Once this is done, we will truly
understand each other, live happier lives and be united.
Don't be discouraged by setbacks. Instead, be encouraged by
opportunity. Happiness can last a lifetime, just like opportunities
are endless. Happiness is something that is instilled within
everyone and opportunity is often given to us. During our
lives, we're constantly developing and learning. Persistence
is the key to all of it. Tips Toward Happiness
1. Time yourself for 5 minutes. Quickly compile a list
of everything you appreciate ”from the mundane to silly
to the important issues in your daily life, such as
loved ones and passions. Try to record as much as you can.
Afterward, become aware of any emotions you have.
2. Now review your list. Take one note beside each
appreciation. Name of someone you need to acknowledge,
influential people in your life, God, or a higher power.
Remember to include yourself.
3. Finally, work on deepening your awareness of the
present. What is something you appreciate in this
exact moment? Jot it down. Stay consistent with this
exercise (do it every 3-4 weeks) and always remember
to smile, girl, because life is too short to die early and
too long to not enjoy every minute of it!
-- Aria Spence, HarlemLIVE Journalist
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