Only some are happily ever after

You consider yourself a happy person? How many people happy you know? Today I want to reflect on the pursuit of happiness. I will not talk about why some of us have an easier life than others, but how is that people with lives and similar problems have perceptions, reactions and attitudes. First let's try to define what happiness is. As an abstract concept may have a different definition for each. But in any case, surely we can agree that happiness is a lasting feeling of satisfaction and contentment, which is not limited to a specific time or cause. Notice that I mention lapalabra "durable?. We are not talking here about the time of joy, emotional adrenaline rush. We speak of that elusive state that inspires poetry, music or painting, or celebrating the ecstasy of having reached or lamenting the pain you feel when you perceive elusive. Now, think about the people you know. People with normal problems, who lives not great dramas or extreme situations. Who do you think is happier? Who do you think not? There are many statistics and articles on the subject, including such considerations as the country where you live, or economic status, religion, or by applying the famous theory of the hierarchy of Marslow.

To summarize, most of the statistics come to the conclusion that once basic needs are covered, even minimally, all these parameters are irrelevant. Have you noticed that the feeling of belonging to a social group, or have some kind of religious belief are often a common factor in people who consider themselves happy. They have also come to the conclusion that money or material success are by no means a given factor. Apart from this, has not drawn any conclusion. I think there is some truth in most of these articles, but today I will share what I've noticed about happy people I know, beyond all these considerations. Probably the most important thing I see is that happy people do not identify with their life or situation. This is my personal definition of freedom. Not affect their happiness to an external factor. They are happy even if at some point they feel sad, upset or frustrated. They are basically not happy but not happy all the time. This makes me think that it is possible to be happy and feel a diverse range of emotions, many of them negative, while happiness is not an emotional response, but a state that is generated and developed a deeper level.

Is happiness a state of mind? Most people remain trapped in the belief that there are certain requirements for us to be happy. His life is a constant search for the steps they consider necessary, such as finishing a career, finding partners, have a good job, have children, or improve their physical appearance, to give examples. But the truth is that people are happy regardless of your situation. They are the richest, healthy, handsome and winners from the social standpoint, but are the most morally and spiritually advanced. This may be the reason that in similar circumstances, some are happy and some not. Life is in constant motion, and problems are part of it. Being alive is by definition be vulnerable, taking risks, problems, and find situations that sometimes categorize as positive and others not. If we hope to find happiness in our lives when everything is under control or as we like, we are condemned to wait in vain, to rely on luck or frustrated in a search live wasteland.

For the same reason, when I ask about it, some tell me that happiness is not possible because it would mean turning away from the reality of suffering in the world. How can someone be happy when so many victims of violence, injustice, slavery, extreme poverty, etc ...? The answer is not to turn away or deny this reality, but to face it as something to work, a challenge to be faced in one way or another. It is similar to unconditional love. When we want someone we do because it is perfect, but despite its flaws, and not because they see them, but because they accept. By doing this, we operate from a soul level, not from our rational mind. Let's look a little closer at this concept, what is meant by living from the spirit. Humans are multidimensional beings. Regardless of religious beliefs, we will agree in describing the human being as a multidimensional being complex, with a physical body, mind or mental body, emotions or emotional body and soul or spiritual body. The last three bodies are of subtle nature. Normally, in the day to day, at different times operate from one or other of these dimensions.

The physical body needs will determine our actions many times and what we think or what we feel will do sometimes. There is nothing wrong with that, except when there is an imbalance and we focus too much on one of these. For example, when the physical body is the one who is in charge most of the time, we see individuals with addictions (alcohol, food, sex, drugs ...) In these cases, physical pleasure is the protagonist and the leitmotif of the day to day, couple leaving no room any more, inhibiting or ignoring the other aspects (emotional, mental and spiritual). When the mind that captains in the extreme, ignoring the needs of emotions and physical body, we have some of the workaholics who know, or people with emotional problems maintaining lasting relationships. Operate much since our emotional body produces unstable people who focus their lives on how they feel at any time, subordinating everything else to an emotional tyranny will not let them take real control of your life. Obviously we need a balance between all aspects or dimensions that make up a human being. Healthy people have this balance, in which all our bodies perform their role and in turn are satisfied and fulfilled.

But what is the role of the spiritual body, soul, angel solar, essence, or whatever the name that feels comfortable to use? The soul carries the pattern of the incarnation, the matrix of our purpose in life. Our essence, unlike our personality, our authentic self, who we really are. All other bodies of which we have spoken, are vehicles and tools to complete our trip on earth. Subordinate to the soul, which is where lies the guide for our lives. From this point of view, happiness is not a goal to reach, but a way of measuring whether we achieve our real goals. When there is a balance and we follow the pattern of our lives, we are happy. When there is no balance or separates soulmate our project, we feel unhappiness, pain or emptiness. These feelings are a sign that we are ignoring our essence. Obviously not do it on purpose, but paying attention to other aspects, and living from these other aspects. As my mother would say, some live as cowbells, looking down to find a speck of food you put in your mouth, and totally ignorant of the life that unfolds around him.

For some, keep its essence is a natural process. No need to be aware of it, are naturally happy and do not need to observe and understand this process. For others, like me, is a journey of discovery, a journey that becomes aware at any given time. Regardless of the day as the pursuit of happiness is really the search for meaning in our lives, as it is our natural state. As such, it is a good schedule of when we need to change direction, or when we need confirmation on our way. I think after these considerations, happiness is beginning to look more accessible. First, we need to understand that is a choice, a right and natural state. Our belief system determines our reality, so the first step is to observe this belief system, and we do not question the useful, or that are an obstacle to reach a fuller life. The second step is being aware of our spiritual nature. This is called awakening, using words of JK Rowling, Harry's mother, comes to be the difference between Muggles and wizards. Or would Quino, Mafalda's father, is the difference between us living our life, or life takes you along where you want.

For me, the cosciencia is the difference between being alive and happy, with power to create our destiny, or simply survive in a world often hostile. Being aware of our spiritual nature means knowing without doubt that we are eternal spirits in physical form temporarily. The third step is learning to be witnesses of our feelings, thoughts and reactions to notice what is important to us and what not, which is in line with our purpose. Requires us to be brutally honest with ourselves, to recognize when we act out of habit, following old patterns determined by traditions, by our ego, or doing what is expected of us. We also note at what points we feel trapped and unable to produce positive changes in our lives. From this point, we just have to make choices that are consistent with our real needs. These elections will shape our relationships, jobs, physical appearance, and ultimately, our lives. Meanwhile, the way we deal with road hazards, determine our growth. In short, happiness is not a selfish aim to win, but a birthright and natural state, which is intended to provide guidance for assessing and measuring how we live our lives.

Being fully present, to develop our consciousness and learn how to witness our processes interiors are good ways to find happiness. On balance, is not it lucky that the process of control of our quality of life is through pleasure? And you're reading, what do you think? I would like to know your opinion. You can put a comment if you wish, or send a direct email to helenaaramendia@earthlink.net Written by Helena Aramendia. Reproduction in whole or in part whenever you mention the source and author.