Choose Happy
 | Author:
Ellie West, Certified Master Practitioner of NLP, Time Line Therapy, and Hypnosis
Inside Inspiration: Certified NLP Coach/Practitioner Of Hypnosis and Timeline Therapy |
About eight years ago, I first heard the song “Happy” by Pharrell Williams, while at work on an airplane. With no passengers on board, we played the song as it set the tone for our day. I knew it would be a hit. The song is full of positive energy, and who doesn’t like to be and feel happy.
This is one of my go-to songs when I am in a funk and need a boost in my day. It always puts a smile on my face and a song in my heart.
Lately, it seems that we as a society are lacking happiness. We strive daily to accomplish our goals and do things right to fulfill our desires of what we want or think we need. But, I have discovered that happiness is more about who than what.
Looking back through the years, there were many fond memories of happy times because it was more about who I was with, family, and friends than what I had. Some of my most joyous times are connecting with others, having great conversations, and simply letting the day's worries slip away.
Recently, on a trip, I was on a layover in Las Vegas. It was close to dinner time, so I ventured out looking for a bite to eat. I wanted something quick and light, so I decided on a fast food cafe. As I was standing in line waiting to order, I watched the clerk behind the register talk to each customer, and I was amazed at how gracious she was as she took the orders. She smiled, politely thanked them, and said, “Have a blessed day.” There was something so special about her; she radiated sunshine.
It was my turn to order, and once I placed my order, I asked, “Where is your favorite place to eat?” She said, “I don’t eat anywhere on the strip as it is too expensive.” She told me that she lives on the outskirts of town, where it is more reasonable, and she likes to be involved with the community and her church. She then began to tell me that she works at this place because she gets free food.
I was awestruck by this person's positive attitude and genuine happiness. It was evident that she did not have much, but what she did have was her community and her faith in God which gave her joy, and she was spreading it to all the patrons. I was so impressed by her kindness; she engaged with everyone she interacted with. You couldn’t help but converse with her.
She seemed to be at peace with what she had, who she was, where she worked, and the people around her. She was happy! We often miss out on incredible happiness because we choose to stay disconnected from other people’s lives.
A couple of weeks ago, I encountered another similar story of someone who exudes pure happiness. I was in the ladies restroom at the Salt Lake City Airport, and as I was washing my hands at the counter, the cleaning lady came in to tidy up. I was immediately drawn to her because she was humming and singing, and then she started to dance with her mop while the restroom cleared. I couldn’t help but smile. I approached her and thanked her for being so joyful as she tidied the washroom. I said, “I love that you can sing while you are cleaning.” She looked at me and didn’t say anything but just smiled…it was then that I realized she didn’t speak any English. So in my English/Spanish tone, I said, “Gracias Muy Bien,” and she replied, “Gracias.”
Since then, I have seen her again in the ladies restroom. She is another example of a delightful person I have encountered that chooses happiness.
You cannot help but feel happy around people who radiate sunshine and smiles.
Do we sometimes look for happiness in the wrong places? Being happy is internal, not external. Things that we think will bring us happiness may temporarily, but until you can find the source of what brings you joy, you will continue to look again to fill that void.
“It isn’t what you have or who you are or where you are or what you do that makes you happy or unhappy. It is what you think about it." - Dale Carnegie
