Because Happiness Comes From Within by Nancy Mueller
We all want to live in a place where we feel happy . Whether you prefer sandy beaches , mountains , a cabin in the woods , the desert or the hustle and bustle of city life , the weather can be a determining factor of how our day unfolds .
Midwesterners get tired of the snow and cold .
Southern Californian ’ s wake up every day expecting to see the sun shining and plan their lives accordingly . Because of this , the much-needed rain can be an intrusion in their life . Midwesterners live with the changing seasons and unpredictable weather and may see an opportunity to be happier in a sunnier location .
Whatever your geographical location , if you ’ re counting on the weather to bring you happiness , you ’ re looking for it in the wrong place . I was quite happy living in my home town of Long Beach , California ; enjoying the beaches , the close proximity to downtown Los Angeles , my children , my grandchildren and a lifetime of memories ! And then , life changed .
Imagine if people had a list of things that make them truly happy and they referred to their list every morning when they wake up ! This would give every person the opportunity to look forward to their J . O . B . ( Jump Outta Bed ) with an intent to experience as much happiness that they could fit into their day . If everyone looked forward to their J . O . B . we could create a ripple effect of happiness .
Every experience , positive or negative , begins in our mind . Our eyes actually show us what we believe , not what we see . When we learn to let go of our beliefs , we actually increase our happiness factor . If you believe the weather is in charge of your happiness , you ’ ll only see the weather as an obstacle to your J . O . B .! The weather becomes no less powerful when criticized .
Be like the weather ; know where your power lies , accept the things you cannot change and harness the power of the happiness that lies within you . My happiness depends entirely on the choices I make based on the power that lies within me . Every one of us has that same power ; Life Is All About Choices !
All the signs were pointing to a move to the Midwest , in the middle of winter ! People in California questioned my decision to move . People in the Midwest , questioned my decision to give up sunny skies in the middle of winter . In truth , if the weather is the worst thing in my life to worry about , then I ’ m truly a blessed woman ! I made the move and despite the wintry weather , I chose to see the weather as the gift that it is . I hadn ’ t spent the holidays in a snow-covered landscape for over 40 years and the gently falling snow was truly a visual gift and a sight to behold .
My California friends shared updates about the rainy , cold winter and how they were looking forward to the warmer weather . Discussions in the Midwest center around the cold weather storms , looking forward to warmer weather and what to do in between . Me , I see the weather as an inevitable part of life and the only way it can affect my happiness is if I choose to let it . How much happier could we all be if we concentrated on the things we have the power to change , instead of the things we have no power over ?