Polarity - Day 17

As much as I want and do promote happiness I’m learning you that full appreciation for contentment comes with knowing the lowest of lows.

Without true sadness you can’t understand pure joy.

You can feel the good because of having been through the bad.

Without rage you can’t experience the calm.

And for me that’s what modern happiness is all about: understanding the mix of emotions we are guaranteed to face and then making choices that get us closer to where we want to be.

You see choosing happiness is not saying out loud “I decide to be happy today”. It doesn’t work like that. Happiness is a choice because we can make decisions to get us where we want to be and feel in the future. It’s about choices today that lead to better tomorrow.

It’s simple, but not easy. Sadness is a part of life and not something to be glossed over. We need to feel, sit with and embrace it. Then at some point we’ve got to get up and do something about it. Get in the sun, go see a friend, have a really good meal, work toward something.

Sure the sad might creep in like the shadow of the night as the sun starts to set. There is no quick fix, but little by little a little becomes a lot. I’m realizing that in my own life. Especially when I reflect on a year ago. The things that were such a big deal and upsetting I have completely forgot about. Which means this pain too will not last.

Because as Robert Frost said “The best way out is always through.” Keep showing up, keep choosing happiness.