Stop Breezing Past Bits of "Happy"

I have noticed recently, that several people I have spoken to, aren't allowing themselves to be happy over little things. The reoccurring pattern made me pause and think about it. Why do people not give themselves permission to be happy? ESPECIALLY in moments that are obvious reasons to be happy?

We connect so often with others over the things that seem to be going wrong in our lives. We love to spend time sympathizing, complaining and wallowing. Our society long ago decided that it made good conversation! Sometimes we get so addicted to it, that we try to create that type of conversation out of situations that are actually lovely, wonderful and positive. Are we worried that we are less relatable if things are going well and we are happy?

And then all that makes us fast forward through the beautiful moments. We drive only with the destination in mind, and no time to enjoy the sunset. We ignore the kudos in the work email and get to the next question. We hardly enjoy our meals before we start cleaning them up. We don't give a nod to the universe for a smooth morning or a pretty beam of sunshine that decided to pop thru the window.

Well there is a reason to pause-- are you allowing your complaints to take more time in your life than your bits of happiness?

We are all guilty of this at some point-- but we can change. We can prioritize the bits of happy, the moments of beauty and the bursts of gratitude.

You can start now. Don't shrug off the compliment. Take it in and appreciate it. Savor that delicious bite of the meal you made all by yourself. Sing a little with your favorite song and relish in the beautiful lyric. Celebrate those bits every time they come up. They deserve TIME. And if you want a happy life-- they need to always be getting MORE TIME THAN YOUR COMPLAINTS. So when bits of happy, peace, appreciation and goodness pop up-- Notice them. Appreciate them. Count them. Cherish them. Applaud them. Love on them. It's the little bits of happiness that add up to large chunks and those large chunks add up to a happy life. Don't fast forward through the happiness of living.