Your Happiness Should Not Wait… Practice It Now
There’s a story of a Zen master who falls off the edge of a cliff, but he’s able to grab a berry bush sticking out of the cliff wall to keep from falling all the way down to the ground.
As it turns out, though, he looks down and he’s only about 10 feet away…but there’s a hungry tiger that sits there waiting for him.
He knows he can’t hang on for much longer, so what does he do? With his last ounce of strength, he picks a berry, puts it in his mouth and enjoys it. End of story.
What does that mean?
It means that it’s not the situation that creates your outcomes in life; it’s always your reaction to the situation that will determine your life.
There is a part of you, your higher self, that is into staying present with what you’re doing and where you’re at in any given moment, no matter what’s happening around you.
If you feel stuck, or like things aren’t moving or changing fast enough, or whatever negative weight you’re feeling, it’s because you’re not 100%, present with whatever is at your feet, even if it seems crappy.
Here’s the problem. You’re thinking, “Harv, you’re not giving me the answer that I want because I want to make a move and feel more satisfied now!”
I’m going to tell you something you’re going to hate: if you can’t be happy with where you’re at, you aren’t going to be happy in the next place either. How you do anything is how you do everything.
While you are in this job/ business you hate or whatever you want to change or improve, practice enjoying where you’re at now. Find the good in it.
I am going to tell you something you’re not going to believe. When you can do this, magic is going to happen. Something will unfold and call to you, and another opportunity is going to be standing right in front of you that you can move to with elegance and grace without fear.
Why?
It’s because you’re coming to your life with a positive and enlightened energy instead of a fear-based, negative, contraction-based energy that is only going to infect your next location. You probably won’t even see the opportunity coming.
I want you to do something totally counter-intuitive: act as if you’re going to be at that crappy job for the next 25 years, and you’re not going anywhere.
Regardless of the area of life we’re talking about that you’re dissatisfied with, find the satisfaction in it. Don’t look for anything outside of it.
Even if you end up doing this for 30 days, 10 days, or 3 months, it doesn’t matter; find happiness where you’re at and just be open to the new things that come into your life.
The point isn’t that you blindly accept people crossing your boundaries, or that you be a doormat in clearly unacceptable, intolerable situations that aren’t safe.
The point is that the satisfaction we’re all looking for–from who we want to be, to what we want to do, to what we want to have, isn’t something you can attain.
Just like your purpose or your calling. You don’t find your calling. Your calling finds you, and you’ll know it when you are engrossed in present love and passion of doing something, and you’re not thinking about it.
When it comes from joy, happiness, passion and excitement, that’s how you know. It comes from thinking, “I love doing this. When I’m doing this, I’m in my flow.”
You don’t have to love everything about it. I don’t love all the logistics about all of my workshops, courses and webinars, but I love being in the moment and speaking with people around the world!
This is the fruit of staying in the present and finding satisfaction now even when it seems like there is none to find. This is how true happiness and success finds you.
Tell me what you think. I want to hear from you!
This blog comes from one of my Tough Love Mentoring calls that I host every month for a very exclusive group.
It’s a LIVE, 90-minute call where I personally answer our students #1 questions or challenges around money, business, success, and life.
We’re going to be opening up some spots for my next call…would you like to join?
If so, click here to get on the waiting list and we’ll send you more details shortly.
For Your Freedom,
Hey Harv , It was nice hearing From u , pretty good insights . loved it 😀
now little bit about myself , i am working on a start up , How can U Help Me?
اشكرك
Thank you for reminding us to break pattern of overreacting to negative situations and stay present in the moment to reap happiness and be open to manifold opportunities.
Thank you Harv for sharing your positive inspiration. I am the worse type of mess….because I appear to most people as a well put together positive person with a plan. When in fact I am often up in the middle of the night worried to death about money, my sons, not being in love….and turning 60 this year wouldn’t be so bad (because I’m blessed with young looks and great health) but i have nothing together. Ive read “Finding happy where you are” before and I do try and practice it …… believing it is the tough part. So i do want to join your webinar and I would love to be happy INSIDE again… V in Tampa
V, check out my reply below. The trick is to focus entirely on all the wonderful things in your life. You said you are blessed with young looks and great health – that is sooooo much to be thankful for. As soon as your thoughts turn to worry, immediately take 3 deep breaths and say ‘All is well in my world’. This activates the parasympathetic nervous system (the one that calms you down) and then you can refocus on ‘counting your blessings’. Annette
“It’s not the blow off the wind, it’s the set of the sail!”
Jim Rohn
Great article and also VERY true. Thanks!
It’s been a horrible week on many fronts and I’ve been sitting around feeling sorry for myself like a victim. I’m thankful I read this to remind me that I don’t need to be stuck in this rut. It’s funny how a few words at the right time can make a difference. Thank you!
In case you’re wondering how to achieve happiness, here is a simple and guaranteed way:
The habit of happiness is achieved through the attitude of gratitude.
With other words focus on the good, not the bad, focus on what you have, not on what you don’t have. In 2013, it was estimated that more than 783 million people don’t have access to clean water. When you step into your hot shower in the morning, give thanks to the clean water that you are blessed with. Next time you eat, pause for just a moment, take a deep breath and feel gratitude for your meal. When you give thanks for your food, you become mindful of what you’re eating. You are fully present in the moment, not off somewhere composing an email in your head. When you are fully present in your body, you are in complete balance. There is a quote by Norman Vincent Peale that states:
“…a basic law:
the more you practice the art of thankfulness,
the more you have to be thankful for.
This, of course, is a fact.
Thankfulness does tend to reproduce in kind.
The attitude of gratitude revitalizes the entire mental process by activating all other attitudes, thus stimulating creativity.”
Norman reached the ripe old age of 95, so I suspect he was doing something right.
I began practicing the attitude of gratitude about 5 years ago, during a time when my life was falling apart. Every time my mind led me to dwell on my problems, I focused on whatever was still good in my life. The more you focus on the positive, the more positive energy comes your way.
Yesss!
Love your comments, it is so simple but very effective. People just need to sit back, relax and think of all the good things in their lives. Have a great week.
I do really need to work on this but thank you so much Harv.
So true. Happiness attracts more happiness so, be happy now.. Thank you Harv
Hi, I like the idea, but if we enjoy what are we living now, it means to be more confortable in our confort zone. So, what would force us to move to the next level?
what if it were owning choice instead of moving in a system of force? Your choice of what you want to do ,explore, rest whatever it may be, vs asking for forcing as the basis of decision making, what I’d call abuse as the lens, instead of your freedom and love as your guide to sight.And again, respect for your choices. I find then it’s much easier to move because from respect, vs abuse which you don’t deserve luv. What do you think?
It’s not necessarily that you would be forced to move on, but that it is a choice you make. Why sit still and allow things to happen to you. Decide what you want in a given situation and go for it, in thought, spirit, action and most importantly, with your WILL.
Focus on your Will Power, not on your Won’t Power. It depends on where you wish to focus, whether you think it will work or not. Then ACT! The Universe will start to send you what you want, maybe little things at first, but keep watching and practise thankfulness, just to encourage it.
Add a smile to everything you think and do – powerful.
Harv, this is a masterpiece!! Thank You?
It is exactly what I need to read in this very moment, when these kind of things happen I believe it’s that magic you were talking. Thanks for sharing with everybody eventhough de can or can’t afford now going vist you and your experts yet. Greetings from Mexico.
sound’s really promising
This has truly been a blessing in my life. Due to my chronic illnesses, I can no longer work in the professional world. So, with this being said, I’ve lost everything and have temporarily found a place to have a roof over my head. I’m thankful for what I do have; however, I don’t know how or where to start over. I want to get back to my hometown in Knoxville, TN. I’m taking baby steps and trying with all my heart to be positive. You have truly encouraged my day.
Dear Cindy, I bet your daily blog of those baby steps would be a true gift to others who have their version of that going on, but nowhere to go to find solace or understanding, or the encouragement that comes from someone who’s really been there and really hears. One I remember also, (after I sent the wheelchair back to the hospital so as to come back to my body’s decision to heal herself (now I dance flamenco, from a coma and getting hit and flung into the air by a careless driver and his car…and sing Wagner))..The miracles will be there, around each corner, do know that, promise. Your voice would be such a blessing..and just might open the door to your own miracles..! And you might even find yourself saving a life or two with those words of your own truth…Best of courage and luck!
Thank you Harv. This lesson open my mind and now I see the things different. More beautiful to live
Me encanta esta reflexion. Me gustan tus blogs: concisos, oportunos y con mucha motivacion. Hoy decido ser feliz!!!☺?????
Happiness studies show, being grateful for 10 things a day, will help bring happiness!!! I am practicing this!!!
I learn about gratitude few years ago and when is time I FORGOT about it …is bad and immediately I remind my mind what I miss in my life – gratitude for what is around me !
It is really UNIVERSAL TRUTH ….!!
Simply, I just love you Harv, you straight talking big hearted new yorker you. You are such a kind reminder of what’s really important when I’ve gotten overwhelmed with whatever, so I’ll take this opportunity to thank your good heart, as well as your son, and team, who join you in this with grace: Thanks. One wish of mine is to sing for you one day, or have the honour of having you over to our simple apart,went in a gorgeous place and cooking Italian-French for you and your sweetheart, son or whomever is with you at the time (we’re in Europe..) and to thank you personally. In any case, until that time, thank you again for the reminder of how to live intelligently and lovingly–o, they’re the same..!
I always love how when I read your words I can feel the vibration through my whole body 🙂 Thank you!!
Great Harv,
When I was working abroad in KSA I had this senior engineer at site from Sri Lanka. Though he had a fair amount of command and calling from various companies around, every time he had a vacation permitting him to go home or if he intended to for a new job, the love he showed for the job at hand even at the last moment of his departure has really picked my senses to appreciate not that his dedication but his love, joy, passion and spirit in the present tense.
Ačiū, Harv kad dalinatės su visais teigiamom emocijom ir gerais dalykais.
Thank you.
Vita
Lithuania
Thank you very much Harv. Just in time, again. 🙂 I love you. I’ll do it.
Great article!
Excelente eso es una realidad. Hay que pensar en grande y actuar.
Thank you for reminding to stay present and not live in fear,
Harv,
You have a great art of explaining life’s important lessons in a simple way. I really love your articles and am very much benefitted by your articles. I am a regular reader and my life is changing for the better. Thank you.
Thank you!
Thank you so much for your inspirational messages. May God bless you & your team for making it so easily accessible. The content is easy to understand and yet powerful to cause lasting change, if we willing to apply it. Thank you!!!
Kind Regards
Mariam
Danke, ich brauchte Heute wircklich das.
Am inspirational message – T. Harv. Thank you.
Is like a person in a routine – there are times that we need to do the unflattering parts of a job description, and to be faithful, we discharge our duties accordingly.
Happiness is learning about doing little things well.
It is to find joy in the tasks completed, the people that had benefited and the impact that we bring to those around us.
We never know … life has its ways of communicating to others.
When we stay steadfast to our cause – we translate that to meaningful acts and actions.
Very very good