The secret of creating happiness
There are two types of people in this world: Those who only know how to survive through the motions of life and those who live to thrive in life. While the collective goal is to be happy, unfortunately, many people believe that happiness comes from outside of themselves. Sadly, they are not aware that happiness is an inside job. If you are happy within, you will be happy with what you have, who you’re with, and where you live. Yet, if you’re not already happy, and believe that happiness lies in your outer achievements, you’ll always chase it in your relationships, in your work, and in materialistic possessions.
At one point in time, I too belonged to the first category. For 18 years as a psychotherapist, I worked relentlessly to achieve both my personal and professional goals. I appeared to be highly successful and happy; but inside, I felt empty, tired, and miserable. I was living an unhappy, one-dimensional, robotic life and feeling depressed. More than two decades later, I realised that I was looking for happiness in all the wrong places. Finally, one day in 2006, my ill health forced me to turn inward and do a reality check. There are four primary chemicals in the brain which induce happiness: Dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphins. These chemicals get secreted in our brain, our mood enhances, and we feel happy. Unfortunately, when the source of their secretion lies in materialistic pursuits, the effect does not remain permanent. While we may feel the surge of happiness induced by external stimuli, this induced happiness can put us on an emotional rollercoaster and make us lose touch with our authentic Self. History shows that by focusing on finding happiness outside at any cost, many famous and successful people have either died of serious health issues or have taken their own lives. In recent months, two famous and successful people—Anthony Bourdain and Kate Spade—shocked the world by taking their lives. While I don’t know either person or case specifically, I can say from my own experience as a clinician that most of those who are depressed can find an easier way out of it, simply by doing their inner work. Heal all your past unresolved issues, to allow your brain to resume making happy chemistry. That is what you really need, to create sustainable success from the inside out. Your life is a gift. Make the best of it and be part of the global evolution.
Thereafter, I immediately surrendered to my spirit and my higher Self and started asking for support towards my healing. With the help of various therapists and healing modalities, I was able to free myself of my old consciousness that blocked my inner joy.
Rita Soman is a USA based PSYCH-K facilitator. For more information or to book a Skype session with her, visit www.ritasoman.com