“Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.” -Dalai Lama
I’d be happy if I had a boyfriend. I’d be happy if my boss promoted me. I’d be happy if I had a larger house. It’s not uncommon for people to make these assumptions–to believe happiness exists in some alternate reality where people and conditions are different.
In a way that’s comforting. It absolves you of responsibility, and puts the blame neatly on other people’s shoulders. But it also gives them the power.
You create your own happiness through the choices you make day to day. Not just the steps you take toward your dreams, but also the choice to enjoy where you are right now. The joy you get when you meet new people and learn from them. The passion you feel when you work on something you love. The peace you feel when you settle into a familiar routine with family.
It’s all available to you now.
What actions can you take today to create and tap into happiness?
*This was originally published on 9/15/09. Photo by John_Brennan
About Lori Deschene
Lori Deschene is the founder of Tiny Buddha. She started the site after struggling with depression, bulimia, c-PTSD, and toxic shame so she could recycle her former pain into something useful and inspire others to do the same. You can find her books, including Tiny Buddha’s Gratitude Journal and Tiny Buddha’s Worry Journal, here and learn more about her eCourse, Recreate Your Life Story, if you’re ready to transform your life and become the person you want to be.
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[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Yael R Matsliah, Alicia, Tiny Buddha, Josh Figueroaand others. Josh Figueroa said: Rt @tinybuddha: "Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions." ~Dalai Lama http://tinyurl.com/m5mwwu […]
Gorgeous lesson. Thank you!
This reminds me of the quote from Hamlet, “There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.” I think the best way to tap into happiness is to keep ourselves from anything else. It takes something to be mindful and to interrupt the script that runs in our minds as we work on auto-pilot. Once we interject and slow down, we have an opportunity to look at the path ahead. Are we heading somewhere we would want to end up? If not, adjust and make the difference now that will give happiness.
YES! I love this. This is a lesson I've worked hard to understand and attempt others to understand as well. Thanks!
This tiny post made me happy 🙂 and reminded me how easy it is to be happy by enjoying the simply pleasures afforded me by making better choices.
I was told once that when the alarm sounds to wake me up in the morning, that's when I decide whether I'm going to have a good day or a bad one.
I work to choose on having a good day. When I stumble during the day, I know I always have a choice of seeing the situation in a negative or a positive way. Even seeing a situation 51% positively and 49% negatively is good.
I was told once that when the alarm sounds to wake me up in the morning, that's when I decide whether I'm going to have a good day or a bad one.
I work to choose on having a good day. When I stumble during the day, I know I always have a choice of seeing the situation in a negative or a positive way. Even seeing a situation 51% positively and 49% negatively is good.
[…] Holistic Harmony Network. We Enable Our Members And Guests To Clarify Their Lives And Goals And Create Health, Harmony And Happiness As Well As Growth. Holistic Harmony Network. Additionally you can check out: http://dev.tinybuddha.com/quotes/tiny-wisdom-on-creating-happiness/ […]