Happiness

I was reading an article about happiness in Denmark. They use three phrases for hapiness and mental health in their country.

The first is the phrase "Whatever you leave behind, you will find in front of you." This of course is the truth if you do not resolve an issue in your life it will continue to rear it's head over and over again. It is the so-called baggage we carry with us as we move forward.

The next common phrase around happiness in Denmark is "Pyt med det" which stands for "it doesn't matter" or "never mind." It is a profound acceptance and release of worry. A gentle exhale amid life's storms. It is a reassurance that things will be okay, even when they seem not to be.

Finally there is a saying which states "Some have happiness, everyone has summer." It is a feeling that no matter what we are dealing with; there are better days ahead. This proverb is everywhere from "this too shall pass" to "don't worry; be happy."

I then had some fun finding words in other countries for hapiness. In Spain, the word is Felicidad, much like the Christmas song 'Feliz Navidad' which means happy Christmas.

In Iceland, the word is Haminga. It represents the Icelandic spirit that stands for luck.

Of course the Greek word is Opa, which is a word I am familiar with. In the 1970's in Sacramento a number of times we went to a Greek restaurant called Zorba's run by Nick. It was the first Zorba's in the United States. It was the ultimate happy place and the Greek word for happy was heard often when Nick would yell 'opa.' I was astounded the first weekend I went. This wild man came to our table to take our order. After dinner he came to all the tables and poured us each a glass of ouzo. We all toasted together yelling 'opa.' Then Nick lifted a table with his teeth and eventually led a conga line through the kitchen. I went back often to celebrate happy with Nick.

One of the things I found most interesting during my research through many countries and found the words they used for happy is there is a commonality. Many of them use words which also mean "luck" yet it also means "the approach to happiness." It is not about luck. It is the truth thar many believe that we search for happiness all through the world. Yet it is not outside of us but within.

Happiness is something within - but can we let ourselves be happy? Do we feel it is okay to be happy? Are we worthy to be happy?

What if it is our natural functioning default state? What if it is how we have been created? When I did my decade doing Adlerian weekends (high emotional release), I came to the end of a weekend.

During the de-briefing I told the facilitators that I felt very strange. It felt like the everlasting tension inside me was missing. I felt quiet but at the same time out of balance. One of the facilitators stared at me and asked me a few questions.

She said, "Dave, I think this is a foreign emotion for you. You haven't naturally felt this before. You feel out of balance but in truth you finally feel balanced but it feels odd. You my friend are happy. Enjoy it and grow to love it.

As I sat there, I began to get a grin which spread across my face. It must have been evident because suddenly I heard a round oa applause. I still to this day love the feeling of happy when it bubbles up. Find yours and join me.............