Is it really ok to be happy? If this seems like a silly question, you’re ahead of the game, because a lot of people think happiness is a sign of foolishness, laziness, or selfishness. Here are some misconceptions that I’ve heard:
Happiness is just plastering over reality with smiley faces and deluding yourself into believing everything is ok. You waste time and energy telling yourself stupid, untrue affirmations and believing in nonsense. I’ll take truth over happiness, thank you.
Happy people are gullible suckers who just haven’t grown up yet. Good people work hard, they don’t have time to be happy. We’re not meant to be happy in this life. The more we suffer and struggle here, the more we’ll be rewarded in heaven.
In short, a lot of people believe that if you’re happy, you’re doing it wrong. They’re afraid of happiness because they think it means losing touch with reality, or being foolish, lazy, selfish, or bad. But that’s not how true happiness is. It doesn’t come from pretending. It doesn’t come from making a lot of money, being powerful, owning a lot of things, or sitting on the beach all day eating bonbons, either.
Real happiness is:
- Love
- Optimism
- Courage
- Freedom
- Proactivity
- Security
- Health
- Spirituality
- Altruism
- Perspective
- Humor
- Purpose
These are true virtues. I don’t know any god or man who looks down on these qualities, and they are the keys to enjoying life. They can be yours! That’s what happiness is all about.