What I believe – Finding happiness where you are

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Positive thoughts19 Comments on What I believe – Finding happiness where you are

What I believe – Finding happiness where you are

Today, I’m excited to be part of a collaboration put together by Bill from A Silly Place. Bill invited members of the blogging community to write a short post on the theme of “What I believe”. I’ve shared my piece on finding happiness where you are below. After you’ve read it, please head on over to A Silly Place to read the posts from other bloggers.

Thanks to Bill for inviting me to be part of this collaboration.

What I believe – Finding happiness where you are

When Bill asked for 6-8 paragraphs about “What I believe”, I sat down and made a list. It included everything from being kind to others and the environment, to embracing diversity, to finding joy in simple pleasures.

As I mulled over what to write, this quote from Robert Holden, Ph.D. popped up in my Facebook feed.

Robert Holden quote about destination addiction - Pinterest image

Beware of destination addiction – a preoccupation with the idea that happiness is in the next place, the next job and with the next partner. Until you give up the idea that happiness is somewhere else, it will never be where you are.” 

Robert Holden, Ph.D.

The lightbulb went on! It sums up so much of what I believe about life.

Having fought a battle with cancer, I know all too well that tomorrow isn’t guaranteed. What if today was all you had? Would those goals you’re working towards and material possessions you’re struggling to accumulate really matter? Don’t get me wrong – goals can help us make the most of life. But, until we learn to love and appreciate what we already have, we’ll never truly be happy.

In my late 20s, I was promoted to a management position. Instead of thinking ahead to my next career move, I recall sitting in my new office and thinking “This is it. I’ve made it.”

A couple of years later, when my husband and I got married, I decided family would come before career advancement and earning more money. I’m happy to say I’ve held to that decision. Today, my family lives in the house we bought when we got married 27 years ago. It’s what many people call a starter home – a stepping stone to something bigger and better – but it’s enough for us.

From time to time, people ask me the secret to a long marriage. To me, it’s about being happy with what you have and letting the small daily annoyances go. If you spend your time chasing perfection, you’ll never be satisfied with anything in your life, including your relationships.

When my daughters were growing up, I passed this philosophy along to them. I told them not to get stuck on the treadmill trying to keep up with the latest trendsetters. Unless you’re Richard Branson or Bill Gates, there will always be someone with a bigger house, a nicer car, a better job, more money, or a more up-to-date smartphone. Just ask yourself – is what you have enough for you?

Ultimately, every one of us can choose to be happy with what we have and to find joy in simple pleasures. Instead of chasing abundance, how about settling for having “just enough”? That, to me, is pure joy and happiness!


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More about what I believe

For more ponderings about what I believe check out 10 Years, 10 Lessons – What cancer taught me about life and Top 10 parenting tips you need to know.

Tell me what you believe!

Thanks again to Bill for including me in this collaboration. Please check out the full post on his blog. I’m sure you’ll find it inspiring.

We all have beliefs we hold dear to our hearts. Tell me what you believe in the comments below. Or, if you’re so inclined, why not write your own post on this theme?

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Hi there! I’m Michelle and I live in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada. I am married with two young adult daughters. I’m a big fan of reducing waste, using less plastic, decluttering and simplifying life as much as possible.

19 thoughts on “What I believe – Finding happiness where you are

  1. What a wonderful, wise post, Michelle! I agree with you completely. Have you read Eckhart Tolle’s book, “The Power of Now” by any chance? I found it quite challenging to understand (which is why I think he then released, “Practicing the Power of Now”). However, the idea of being happy now and with what you’ve got is very powerful. Thank you, Michelle!

    1. Thanks Cher. No, I haven’t read that book. I read Joshua Becker’s book The Minimalist Home and I follow his blog. I find he has great tips on simple living.

  2. Michelle, your contribution/this post was so incredibly powerful to read and I will keep going back to it over and over again! I too believe in finding happiness where you are.. I get the reason for chasing happiness but it’s never brought me happiness more than when I’ve taken the time to truly appreciate what I already have… I also have made a point in my life to enjoy every journey for what it is… Because of this, I’ve become a positive thinker which is quite the opposite of who I was even 10 years ago! 🙏🙏🙏

    1. Thank you so much commenting. I appreciate your kind words. I agree that we need to pause and enjoy the point in the journey where we are right now. And positive thinking is so important in achieving that!

  3. I love this! So many people buy the latest gadget or car or house thinking that they can “buy” happiness
    But the truth is…happiness is found from within. We have to love ourselves, accept who we are, and realize that we do things on our own time frame … only then can we find happiness instead of getting caught in the rat race against all of these trendsetters 🙂

    1. Exactly! Any “happiness” you get from material posessions is fleeting. True happiness comes from things you can’t buy. I think The Beatles had it right all those years ago when they said “Money can’t buy me love”.

I'd love to hear your ideas. Drop me a comment below.

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