July 2024 Newsletter: The Key to Happiness
Supporting you to free your mind so you can live from your heart!
Happiness:
“When one’s spiritual needs are met by an untroubled inner life. Happiness comes when your words and deeds benefit yourself and others”
I stumbled upon this saying in a fudge and art shop in a small town in Colorado. These words were embossed on beautiful fabric with a loop for hanging, and they resonated deeply with me.
I stopped in my tracks and immediately bought it.
Why?
Because for much of my life, I felt the opposite of this: internally troubled. I knew there was peace available to me somehow, but I struggled to access it. Large parts of my existence were consumed by feelings of despair and anxiety, as if I were being tossed around by life, never quite where I should be or doing what I should be doing.
It took me working with a coach and becoming one to realize that my thoughts about myself and my life were fueling these emotions. Lacking self-awareness, I believed every negative thought and held deep-seated beliefs that I wasn't good enough.
Our brains are wired to focus on negativity and limitations for survival, a tendency of the brain called
“negativity bias”. However, I've come to understand that we can train our brains to shift focus consciously. By becoming aware of these patterns and redirecting our thoughts toward positivity and self-compassion, and what we most value, we can cultivate inner peace and fulfillment. This shift isn't immediate; it requires practice and patience.
Recognizing the impact of my thoughts and beliefs was a turning point. I began to see happiness not just as a fleeting emotion, but as a state of being that we can nurture from within. It starts with acknowledging and challenging negative patterns like self-doubt and feelings of unworthiness and recognizing them as a survival mechanism of the brain.
As I embarked on this journey of self-discovery, I learned to observe my thoughts without judgment and intentionally redirect them toward gratitude, compassion and my highest priority values. Over time, this mindfulness reshaped how I viewed myself and the world around me.
Choosing to see the good in myself and others became a daily practice. Embracing life with openness and a willingness to learn opened doors to growth and deeper connections. I started feeling more aligned with my true purpose and less burdened by my survival thoughts that spiraled around scarcity, expectations and comparisons.
This journey is ongoing. Self-awareness and self-compassion are lifelong pursuits. By nurturing our inner peace and embracing our inherent worthiness, we fulfill our spiritual need for harmony and contentment.
As I hang that beautiful fabric in my home, it serves as a tangible reminder of my progress and the continuous potential for growth. Each day offers opportunities to deepen happiness by aligning words and deeds with positivity and kindness, both toward myself and others.
I affirm: I am open to seeing my true identity: precious and free.
