Everyone has a different perspective on what a blissful life would look like. For some it's something nearly impossible or impractical, like becoming a billionaire or wasting away on a beach in the French Riviera. Most people are more pragmatic however, perceiving it as simply finding lifelong happiness.
We all want to be happy in life but not everyone knows how to achieve this. Most people believe happiness is something outside of themselves, like money or possessions or status. This is where people get it wrong. Money, possessions and status are never enough. Once you get it you always want more of it.
There was a period in my life when I had it all. A responsible position. A beautiful home. An investment condo. A great car. And I was absolutely miserable. All those things came with conditions. Conditions that were never-ending. The responsible job was killing me but I had to stay in it to pay for the beautiful home I was living in, and the garage I needed to build, and the basement I needed to finish, and the condo special assessments, and the nice car I was driving that needed constant maintenance for the warranty to remain valid. It was a situation that needed to change in order for me to be happy again because clearly, it wasn't working for me.
It was this period in my life when I had my epiphany. It suddenly dawned on me that all those "things" didn't make me happy. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying you should give up all the things you've worked hard to acquire, but if they aren't bringing you joy it might be a good time to discern what will.
BLISS IS AN INSIDE JOB
For me, feeling bliss is an inside job. It's feeling content just being alive. It's accepting myself exactly as I am. It's not being hard on myself when I make a mistake. It's not caring what other people think. If you are one of those people who do, you are doing yourself a great disservice because your life is your own and how other people view it is not something you should concern yourself with. The same goes for how people perceive the way you look. You will never be happy if you dress for other people. Dress the way you want based on your personality. Be authentic in the way you express yourself and you will always be happy and confident.
MIND YOUR MATTERS
I have never forgotten the line in the 1979 Canadian movie "Meatballs" where Bill Murray's character proudly shouted "It just doesn't matter!" The entire cast of characters shouted it out over and over. It was so memorable because it illustrated how empowering it can be to participate for the sake of community and camaraderie rather than worrying about how you are perceived. Their depression immediately changed to a force to be reckoned with, giving them the confidence to win the games hands down.
GET EXCITED OFTEN
Think about the kinds of things that excite you. What makes you want to jump out of bed in the morning? I'll bet it's not your job. Whatever they are do them more often because these are the things that make life worth living. The things that bring you bliss.
FOCUS ON WHAT YOU WANT
The author of The Secret (Rhonda Byrne) states over and over again that you get more of what you focus on. If you focus on all the negative aspects of your life you will continue to experience more of that, but if you focus only on what you want you will eventually bring it about. Even if it is a fairytale concept, why would you think about what you don't want? It's counterproductive. It makes much more sense to think about how to create the life you want than to waste time on what you don't.
BELIEVE YOU'RE WORTH IT
If you don't believe you deserve a life of bliss, no one is going to give it to you. You are worth it and you should believe it. Challenge your limiting beliefs and eliminate them. Conquer your fears and kick them to the curb. You deserve to be as happy as anyone else. Forgive yourself. Forget the past. Live for today and make it your best life.
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