Unlocking Happiness: The Secret? It’s Already Within You
Happiness… We all crave it, but how often do we actually feel it in a deep, lasting way? Sure, we experience moments of joy—during a peaceful sunrise, a meaningful conversation, or when we’re doing something we love—but true, sustained happiness often feels just out of reach.
But here’s a truth I’ve learned: happiness isn’t something to chase. It’s already within us, just waiting for us to open the door. The key? Honoring self.
Why Gratitude Alone Doesn’t Cut It
You’ve probably heard it countless times: “Gratitude is the key to happiness.” While this is true, there’s a missing piece we need to address: if you’re not honoring who you are at the deepest level, it’s impossible to truly feel gratitude. It’s like trying to look through fogged glass… We know that happiness is on the other side of gratitude, but when our minds are preoccupied with trying to understand our own internal struggles, it’s hard for us to see things clearly and to connect with gratitude in a meaningful way.
When we ignore our needs—whether it’s staying stuck in old patterns, avoiding our boundaries, or not fully accepting ourselves—gratitude becomes just another nice idea. In the same way that it’s hard to be there for other people when you haven’t been there for yourself, it’s also difficult to feel grateful when any part of you isn’t honoring what you need. Without a connection to self, it’s hard to connect with anything else. This is why honoring yourself is so essential. Once you do that, you allow for gratitude to reveal itself.
The Path to Peace: Honoring Yourself
When you honor yourself—when you are authentic and unapologetic about your needs and desires—you stop fighting to control everything around you. That need for control often stems from unresolved parts of us—things we haven’t processed or addressed. But once we start exploring and healing through those deeper layers, we naturally begin to let go of control.
And when we let go of control? That’s when we enter a space of surrender. In that surrender, everything becomes clear—gratitude, peace, calm, and connection begin to flow naturally. These are the building blocks of happiness.
A Simple Practice: Two Powerful Questions
If you want to start unlocking your lasting happiness, try this simple practice: Each day, ask yourself these two questions:
What’s one thing I can do today to fully honor myself?
Is that one thing coming from a place of authenticity, or is it a reaction to old patterns, fear, or external expectations?
These questions will help you clear the fog and reconnect with your true self. When you begin to honor yourself, happiness becomes the natural result.
As Marianne Williamson beautifully said, “Ego says: Once everything falls into place, I’ll feel peace... Spirit says: Find your peace, and then everything will fall into place.”
Happiness is not something you have to chase—it’s already within you.
So take a deep breath, look inward, and watch how steadily everything begins to fall into place.
Peace & Love,
~ Austen 🤙🏼
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