Happy Day!

God has given me this great insight on happiness lately. It may seem really elementary to some of you, but it was a lightning-bolt revelation to me - I can't make anybody happy. Whew! That was just a HUGE weight off my shoulders! One day, while I was journaling, I felt God impressing that truth on me - I can't make anybody happy! At first, I didn't get it. Then, the more I meditated on it, the more I understood. God expected me to do good deeds, and to love with all my heart, and to be kind - but it was not my job to make anybody happy. That was their job.

So, for the past few weeks, that has been my mantra. I cannot make anybody happy. And, it hasn't been easy for a people-pleaser like me. I have stopped making everybody else's happiness my responsibility. And, I've found something really deep in all of that - my own joy. I cannot tell you how sweet it has been! So, I have continued to be loving, but if somebody does not choose to receive my love I do not become a doormat so that they do. I continue to be kind, but if somebody throws my kindness back in my face I choose to smile and move on instead of beat myself up and wonder what I did wrong. I do good deeds and leave the responsibility of what people do with those good deeds to them. It is SO FREEING!

Since God gave me that wonderful truth about happiness a few weeks ago, I've found two more truths about happiness. The first I found by meditating on the insight God gave me - it is really the opposite of original insight - if I cannot make anybody happy, then nobody can make me happy, either. Or, rather, I cannot find happiness by looking for it in other people. I must admit, I've made that mistake most of my life. And, I must also admit, I've never actually found lasting happiness in other people, because of course they've always failed me, because they are humans and that's what humans do. No, happiness cannot be found in other people at all. I've been looking for happiness where it cannot be found. Happiness can only be found in ourselves when we partner with God.

The other insight I got about happiness just happened yesterday, and it was a quote in a magazine. I cut it out and taped it in my journal. It's a quote by Ernie Banks. I have no idea who he is, but I do like his quote! "You must try to generate happiness within yourself. If you aren't happy in one place, chances are you won't be happy anyplace." I do believe he's right - happiness has really little to do with your circumstances, it has much to do with your heart.

Well, ladies - happy day! :)