Image by Sasin Tipchai
This is Marie T. Russell, co-publisher of InnerSelf.com, wishing you a day of discovering inner fulfillment and happiness (today and every day).
Comment from Marie: Do you find yourself thinking at times... I'd be happy if... I had a new job, lost some weight, had a new place to live, a new car, a better this or that... We seem to think our happiness comes from the outside. But it doesn't. Happiness is an inside job. We choose to be happy -- or miserable, or angry, or whatever. More "goodies" won't "make us" happy. Happiness comes from being content with our life, with our goals, with our actions, with ourselves.
InnerSelf's Daily Inspiration
November 1-2-3, 2024
The focus for today (and the weekend) is:
To truly be fulfilled and happy,
I step off the hamster wheel of instant gratification.
Today's inspiration was written by Shawn Léon Nowotnik:
Why do we chase happiness? We’re often sold the idea that happiness is the ultimate goal — a narrative perpetuated by advertisements, social media, and popular culture. But this relentless pursuit will bring far more problems than benefits.
Constantly striving for a brief feeling of happiness that often eludes us can be completely exhausting. The chase not only leaves us filled with disappointment, but also unfulfilled — and unhappy. So if you want to be happy, don't chase happiness.
Instead of aiming for an elusive goal called "happiness," we can find true fulfillment through genuine personal growth, meaningful relationships, and making a difference in the world around us. Stepping off the hamster wheel of instant gratification opens us to embracing our emotions, imperfections, and the uncertainties of life — because that’s what it means to be human. By not trying so hard to be happy, we'll be happier.
CONTINUE READING: Read the complete article here.
Today's inspiration was adapted from the InnerSelf.com article:
6 Ways to Free Yourself from the Happiness Trap
By Shawn Léon Nowotnik, MSW, LCSW
Read the complete article here.
The focus for today (and the weekend): To truly be fulfilled and happy, I step off the hamster wheel of instant gratification.
Subscribe here to join me for the next installment of "InnerSelf's Daily Inspiration".
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RELATED BOOK: F*ck Happiness
F*ck Happiness: The Search for Meaning in a World Gone Mad Chasing Happiness
by Shawn Léon Nowotnik.
In today's world, the pursuit of happiness reigns supreme, inundating us with messages of eternal bliss and relentless positivity. Against this backdrop, the provocative title "F*ck Happiness" emerges as a daring rebellion, challenging the shallow promises of a happiness-centric culture. Through its pages, readers are invited on an unconventional journey, one that transcends superficial ideals to explore authenticity, meaning, and the intricate fabric of human existence.
For more info and/or to order this book, click hereclick here. This title is available as a Kindle edition and as an Audiobook.
About the Author
Shawn Léon Nowotnik, MSW, LCSW, is an artist, author, filmmaker, and therapist living outside Chicago. After losing his son to suicide, he was compelled to reevaluate his own narrative — and look at how loss, mental health, and addiction can affect every aspect of a person’s life. He's developed holistic treatment programs and advocates for improved mental health and addiction disorder treatments, as well as researching, writing, and public speaking about addiction, community, mental health, narrative, and social issues. His new book is F*ck Happiness: The Search for Meaning in a World Gone Mad Chasing Happiness. Learn more at shawnleonnowotnik.com.
