Are You Willing to Stretch Yourself for Happiness

The Challenges is what makes victory even sweeter

It was a normal day like any other day.  Rose at 4 am to work out, meditate, and read something that will inspire me. Hopped in my car to put some time in at a well known non profit organization.  I enjoy my morning commutes.  It is the perfect time to practice being in the present moment and definitely not someplace where you can rush.  The best time to listen to a good audio book or music and watch other people try to make up lost time for hitting the snooze button.

What I wasn’t expecting was the loud bang as I was jolted from behind; the sound of screeching tires; the back end crumpled with the force of impact, thrusting two foot of metal into the back of my car. The steering wheel and dashboard exploded, smoke filled the car as I felt myself being thrown back and forth like a pin ball.  The metal of my car groaned like the final cry of a wounded beast and it slowly came to a halt.

After that all was silent. 

I knew I was lucky to be alive.  As I was pulled from the wreckage, there was only one thing on my mind…..Happiness.

I knew I was lucky to be alive. In the present moment when I laid in the car in smoked filled silence; I was NOT happy about it. 

Just got the car out of the shop; had a well known talk show celebrity come to Atlanta to work with me; everything was looking up.  Everything that I ever wanted or needed was manifesting at the right moment, and in two minutes came to a screeching halt.

But I was happy.

Happiness is an emotional state.  It’s good feeling that comes and goes.  Studies show that you are born with a preset default happiness level.  There are also ways to raise that default happiness level. My own happiness level is four hours of sleep, a good workout, good home-cooked meals, a night out with the amazing ones, dates with my girls, and seeing my clients achieve their success. 

Happiness is a feeling, but it is much deeper than that. Just think about the things that have made you happy and you realize that the things that made you happy probably came without a struggle. 

Matter of fact the things you should feel happy about are things you didn’t have to work for.  Just think about it!

But instead we think about all the things that are not easy to come by that make you stand up, become determined, fight through your fears, and overcome the struggles.  All the bad relationships, living your passion, starting a business, and just doing you, you had to claw, scratch and bite for the rewards.  But when you finally got what you were so determined to achieve, you were more than happy.  You were fulfilled.

When you understand this you will realize that sometimes in order to stretch yourself, you must be willing to be uncomfortable and take on the challenges of life during the process.       

Am I happy that was in an accident?  No.  It certainly throws a monkey wrench in a two car home that is primarily ran by my wife and the girls.  I’m not even sure how I am going to pull this off with the therapy, clients, and my regular routine.  It is definitely a struggle not being able to hit the gym.  

But one thing I can tell you by looking at my past challenges is that I will battle through this challenge and win, taking my life to the next level of success and abundance.   

And that my friends, makes me feel very happy indeed.