Why do we allow others to define our happiness?
The definition of happiness for each person is subjective, it is driven by our own views on life and what is important. This kind of happiness is deeper- it thrives on more than just a “good day”. It is driven by the satisfaction you feel from within.
Happiness transpires from various places, and is dependent on the person for where it comes from. Some love the simplest things in life and are happy with tranquility, feeling serene. Others find happiness in leading an exciting life full of adventures, spontaneity and living far from the norm. Then some find their happiness in between all of this.
Through life, if we find our source of our happiness we are fortunate. There are people who have struggled far too long to find their much-deserved happiness. Perhaps another way that life displays its crueler side.
Upon finding our way to feel happiness, why are we resistant to making the daily decisions to be happy in our life, in fear of others judgments? Because everyone sees happiness differently, the acceptance of others “happiness” is rather harsh. You see, humans naturally see life as a path; you pass through and accomplish all these things on your way through.But don’t you dare stray too far from that path, if you stay too long to watch that sunset you’ll be missing out on what others think you should be doing. Don’t even consider running through an area that you don’t have much interest in wasting time there, others will be there to yell at you to slow down, you’re moving way too quickly than you should. Better yet, don’t even think about doing things out of order, or in a way that you had imagined to be better. Others will be there to remind you that is not the way this society functions and you should get right back on that path.Don’t forget that this world has a lot of expectations for you, things you should be doing, when you should do it, and who should be there with you.
Sometimes we are expected to be put on autopilot and live life the way that others want us to live, because what if we don’t? We might not have their support?Maybe they will be upset with us? Perhaps they won’t share our happiness with us? We want others to share our joys with us. The moment you pictured for years as the best day of your life, and because someone expected you to live your life differently they may not be happy for you on that day.
Lifelong happiness comes from a feeling of content in your life, that you are doing what you want to do. You will not feel happy in twenty years if you made a decision to make others around you happy. You are in charge of your life, go down the path that you want go down. Whether it is curvy, steep, or simple. At the end of that path you want to feel fulfilled. That you did everything you wanted to do.Don’t look back and feel that you stopped and wasted too much time to please the others, and failed to make it on the rest of your trip.
I blinked twice, and like a flash my years in high school faded away, quickly I might add. Now? My college years are coming to an end soon. This means that the rest of my life will be the present. My biggest fear in life is that I modify my happiness to suite others around me, for what they expect of me, so that they can share my happiness. I have expectations of myself, but sometimes life happens, so why not embrace what you can control and use those moments and create your own happiness?
