The Secret to Happiness: Choosing Contentment Over Achievement

Most of us think of happiness as a destination. We strive and struggle to reach it, believing that once we’ve achieved it, everything will be better. But what if we could re-frame our perspective and see happiness not as a destination, but as a state of being?

The truth is, we can’t always control our external circumstances, but we can control our internal state and our reactions to these external influences. We can choose to be content, to be grateful for what we have, and to live in the present moment. I strongly believe this is the key to true happiness.

Find Joy in the Small Things

The most important thing to remember is that happiness is not about what we have, but about how we feel. We can find joy in the small things, like spending time with our loved ones, taking a walk in nature, appreciating local wildlife or simply enjoying a cup of coffee. When we focus on the small joys in life, we can appreciate the beauty in every moment and find more contentment.

We can also choose to be more mindful of our thoughts. When we become aware of our thoughts, we can choose to focus on the positive and let go of any thoughts that keep holding us back. This is a powerful tool that can help us to stay in a more positive state, which can lead to greater feelings of happiness in our every day lives.

Choose Gratitude

Another key to happiness is gratitude. When we take the time to appreciate what we have, rather than focusing on what we don’t have, it can help us to feel more content. We can choose to be grateful for the good things in our lives, and to let go of any feelings of resentment or envy.

Taking the time to practice gratitude can also help us to shift our perspective and focus on what is truly important to us. We can be grateful for the relationships we have, for our health, and for the opportunities we have been given, and these things can help us to see life in a more positive light.

It’s also important to remember that happiness is not something we can just achieve overnight. It’s a continual process, and it takes time. One of the best things we can do is to focus on the present moment, rather than worrying about the future or dwelling on the past.

The key to true happiness has always been within our reach. Most of us have been conditioned to think of happiness as a destination. We believe that if we just work hard enough, achieve our goals, or acquire more possessions, we'll finally be happy. However, this pursuit of happiness can be exhausting and unfulfilling.

Find activities and practices that are in alignment with your values and do more of those things at every opportunity you get. If rest is a part of that practice, allow it and don't judge yourself. You cannot pour from an empty cup, happiness is an indicator that your physical reality is somewhat aligned with your internal reality.

Learn more about listening to your internal indicators in this collection of useful resources.

It's time to re-frame our perspective and recognise that happiness is not a destination but a state of being that is always accessible to us.