Happiness is a Choice...

"Happiness comes from within; looking anywhere else for it will be a set up for consistent disappointment." - Me :)

The turning of the new year undoubtedly causes many to self-reflect, and it's completely natural. We retrospectively examine our successes (and short comings), and tend to plan to make adjustments before the turn of the new year. Whatever we choose from there, being happy about those decisions must be a certainty. Going forward, the major component will always be infallible: happiness is a choice, and it must be a responsible and fulfilling one.

  A major thing to remember is: happiness is not an ultimate destination, but more of a path traveled through life. There are many paths that we can choose; this particular one is just another one to travel. However, traveling on this route does take practice. For many, getting accustomed to this path is most difficult. Just remember, our minds are like muscles, and walking along the happy path is like a workout—initially. We humans are habitual creatures, so it's a struggle at first because our senses are not accustomed to this path. But the more we walk that path, the easier it becomes, and our minds will become stronger and suited in happiness.

Another thing to remember: life will never—in a million years tacked onto infinity—ever be perfect. In general, it's a cold and cruel world we live in, but on a personal level, it doesn't have to be. People have the extraordinary power to be... well, extraordinary. The small choices we make regularly can and will make a big difference between happy, not-so-happy, and flat out miserable. Life itself may never be perfect, but simply by being choice conscious, our individual perceptions of life can and will be.

It may come as a shock to some, but it is absolutely imperative to know that personal happiness does not come from having a significant other. This person should only enhance happiness, and not be mistaken as the sole source of it. That's right! If we can't find it for ourselves—first and foremost—then it is totally redundant to fathom that we could ever expect to find it through someone else.  Negativity is more easily replicated than decimated. If an individual is miserable, that person will only influence misery; happiness can never be found in a potential mate.

One very important aspect of the road to exuberance is: we cannot take everyone along once we embark on this mission. Initially it seems ideal, but in a (Western) world full of unnecessary competition, your happiness will repel people like this; they're usually called "haters." Learn to accept that no matter what, people like this will always be lurking around, and some of them are the closest to us—for now. 

Not everyone is equipped for being happy, and not everyone genuinely wants to be, either. So why would they want that for anyone else? However, it's not necessary to answer this. Just love them from a distance, and hope they will embrace it for themselves one day. Maybe they'll catch up, maybe they won't. Just remember either way, we have no control over that.

My favorite emcee ever, Biggie Smalls, I think said it best: Mo' money, mo' problems. It's short and direct, but makes one uppercut of a punchline. That being said, it is also extremely important to remember that... No. Amount. Of. Money. Will. Ever. Buy. Your. Happiness. Period! Some individuals out there will snidely say something like, "That's something that broke people say..." Before this low-blow to the self-esteem is registered at the prefrontal checkpoint, just repeat the following as much as needed: happiness comes from within. 

If 'happy' cannot be manifested from inside to appreciate what we already have, no amount of money or material things will ever change this; it will only serve as a comparative metric to others. There are people who literally never have enough: their lives are shrouded with envy, but they're never satisfied. Don't fret. This type of behavior is not rooted in felicity, but rather a foolish attempt to fill some void through mere greed.

Take into account that individuals are solely responsible for owning happiness. Not momma, daddy, girlfriend, boyfriend, bff, husband or wife—you are. It takes immense changing of the mind, and sometimes surroundings and people, to embrace this. Rest assured that following this path will not only result in a happy new year, but many more happy new years to come.

Happy New Years, everyone! :)