What is The Key to Happiness?

The thing about happiness is that it often comes with sacrifice. What sacrifices are you willing to make in order to come to head with the happiness you desire? The sacrifices come with a great prize. Not every sacrifice being ones that include giving up the things you love most, but instead it's to give up the things you have trouble admitting are hindering your growth. We sometimes indulge in things that don't necessarily serve a healthy purpose in our lives. The addictions we have grown accustomed to, or the behaviors we have become comfortable with. The things we refuse to look at or acknowledge are often the things that need the most work or change. I have always said that the key to happiness is living uncomfortably. When we step outside of our "normal" we then give ourselves the freedom the embrace change. To undergo new experiences with fresh eyes instead of fear. To tackle the things we know we need to overcome. To leave room for fate to take over, and fully letting go of expectations. To give the Universe the freedom to do what it will with your life.

Everything Happens For a Reason?

They say that everything happens for a reason, but what exactly does that mean? With the amount of struggle, heartbreak, and turmoil life has thrown our way, what have we learned through it all? Look back at the past and the circumstances you overcame. Especially those situations you have felt you would never overcome. Questioning how we could ever come back from all this pain and sadness? Although, through tear filled eyes and slumped shoulders… we somehow make it through. The battle scars paint our skin and we come out accomplished and brand new. Ready to start again. The hardest part is going through the hard times. If you're going through hell… keep on going. Somewhere, somehow, that ambition will get you to a new place. The chance to start over still obtaining all the knowledge gained from the experience. Now this time, you can skip that part of the lesson, you can now learn from the mistake (whatever that may be). The reason behind why the bad happens? To make room for the good. If the world only served a purpose for good, there would be no growth, no compassion, no uniqueness. Without the bad the world would be a simple straight line, no path the wrong one. What does that leave us to feel?

You see, life aligns in a way that opens our minds and leaves us with questions. Searching the ends of the earth for a reason why.

But the reason is the experience. The lessons. The growth. The becoming.

Everything that has happened to you, in some way or another, changed you. What you will do with that opportunity… is up to you.

Expectations Hinder Your Growth

Having expectations for your life is like being stuck in traffic, making a road block for your growth. Keeping you stuck in a cycle of denial. Feeling as if the Universe has it out to get you. Expectations cause delays and leave you repeating the same patterns and mistakes. You are now asking yourself "why does this always happen to me?"

This is where we look at cause and effect. We ask ourselves, what has gotten us to this point? How am I responsible for my destination? What keeps on repeating? The Universe is always working for you, and by ignoring the signs (or "call") you will then be forced to notice. We have free will, but if we veer off the destined path too long, the Universe will nudge you. Then free will comes in and you choose what you do with that nudge. Keeping going the way you are miserably or get uncomfortable and do something new. Do something that you never even thought you'd do. The thing that clouds you with self doubt and scares you.

Let go of the expectations.

Without expectations we allow the release of fear. Fear can be a form of control. Expecting a certain outcome and feeling devastated if all else fails. Denying the chance for something new to blossom, no allowing yourself to see the new doors that have now opened for you. Letting go of expectations means many more doors of opportunity. Sure, nobody wants to be let down or feel as if they failed at something… but what if we change the perspective?

Open Doors of Opportunity

What if we stopped looking at "fails" as fails? Think about the times in your life something didn't go as planned, but turned out for the better? Or perhaps the situation sucked and it was bad for a long time… what have you learned? What have you gained? Sometimes the Universe prevents us from getting what we think we want in order to lead us to something we may not yet know we want. So let it lead. Allow yourself to be open to the new.

"Happiness often sneaks in through a door you didn't know you left open." 

~ John Barrymore