Why are you so happy?

Lately I often sing out loud, if I don't have a song in my mind, I do funny noises that even make me laugh sometimes. Sometimes I also dance while I sing, or at the smallest sound of music I start moving as I feel the rhythm. I smile a lot, even if I am alone, I just feel happy and like that energy.

In addition, it feels pretty good.

Well, the other day I was being like that; happy and singing all over. Suddenly, my father found me and asked me: "why are you so happy?" Maybe the most easiest and honest way to answer would have been: "why not?"; but the question froze me for an instant, a very long instant. 

“Why are you so happy?” I repeated the question over and over again in my mind because I couldn't understand why someone has to ask "why are you so happy?" For that instant it seemed like that phrase about love that says: "love is not something you want to feel, is something you simply feel" and period! like saying "let it be". 

I must have been in a real shock because I couldn't articulate a word while my Dad was still expecting an answer from me, staring at me, in front on me.

I believe the same happens with happiness; you just feel it and enjoy it and feel amazing while you are feeling it.

But that is no answer, even more when awareness is a very important thing; therefore, at some point you do have to know why are you so happy; you cannot let your happiness be a thing that comes to you serendipitously, that would be like being unconscious about what makes you feel happy.

Yes, at some moments we all get to live wonderful and spontaneous moments of happiness, like a surprise you didn't see coming and it does feels great. Nonetheless, as you have to be aware of your mood, what ignites your energy, what makes you feel awkward or whatever emotion you are experiencing maybe even for emotional intelligence purposes; the same happens with happiness. Being consciously aware of what makes you happy can also work as a way of knowing what keys to press to help yourself feel better and what sort of things might not match your energy so well.

Is not a matter of shutting down whatever does not bring you happiness; that would be avoiding unhappiness and running away from reality and at some point insane; in addition to the fact that, what you resist, persist because unconsciously, that is what you are attracting.  It is a matter of identifying in a conscious way your emotions and how to handle them, so that you can be well.

Anyway, the answer I gave to my Dad at that moment might seem now as if I was leaving happiness to randomness; I said: why you ask me that? I am happy because I am happy, I cannot say I am happy because the day is sunny, or because if it is rainy (I love rain), or base my happiness on things that can change in any given moment. You don't ask a child: why are you smiling? A child just feels something amazing inside and the best way to show how awesome that feeling is smiling or running or shouting or jumping… The same happens with me, something inside me makes me happy.

To some extent this answer was right; happiness comes from the inside and is not to be based on temporary things, or it shouldn't; although the only constant thing in life is change and therefore temporariness.

In fact, some studies have confirmed that the object that brings happiness varies according to time and circumstance; a nice example of that is the movie called "Hector and the search of happiness" which I will discuss in anther blog. In any case, I believe that the person who experiences the happiness plays also a very important role; like if you have to be open to happiness. 

How many times we still find people who fight their emotions, even if it is happiness like someone not liking to smile because it will give her wrinkles; yes, I've heard that. Well, even if is it sadness or any other emotion you experience, probably wanting to hide it or deny it is not the best thing to do. Awareness has to be present, still in the cases of unpleasant emotions. 

And finally happiness is also a choice; I choose to be happy instead of gloomy. A child might not be able to get that level of awareness yet, but you and I can and I choose to be happy because it feels much better than the opposite.

Some think that feeling happy is a naive way to go through life, even more if you are facing some hard times. Is not naive, there is nothing wrong with keep on smiling regardless of whatever comes the way. You nor anybody has to live upset or depressed because things are difficult, such attitude will only make it worse; and attitude is and will always be crucial mixed with intention, of course.

I invite you to choose happiness; yes, happiness can look funny and sometimes ridiculous like singing and dancing all over or smiling but give it a try, I am sure you will like it as well and you will start feeling better.

Go with happiness! (Like they say in Insurgent the movie)