by Terez Hartmann
The Fire of HAPPINESS
Ah, sweet happiness! When you feel, express, embody, and experience this light and lovely state of being, all most certainly is right with the world. Life has more sparkle. Things that once ruffled your feathers seem inconsequential. There is a soft breeze of music that fills your moments with a sense of serenity and contentment that then gives way to waves of bliss and ecstasy. It is the pot of gold at the end of every rainbow, yet it is also the rainbow itself, pointing the way, while filling your world (and all who have the good fortune of crossing your path) with color every step of the way!
Within every beating heart rests a compass that always knows the way to happiness.
Though many of us were taught that feeling good is wrong or bad, or that we have to perpetually “earn” our right to be happy, isn’t it ironic to note that, when in a state of happiness, in addition to being healthier and more productive—and getting more enjoyment out of our life—that we are also more clear, more prone to excellence, and more loving, generous, and compassionate toward humankind? If suffering was the path to health, wealth, relationship success, and wisdom, don’t you think that virtually every human being on this planet would be an ultra-mega bazillionaire rock star by now?
When I prioritized my own well-being in a stronger way than ever before at the beginning of this year and declared that I was truly open and willing to follow the path of least resistance to my greatest joy—no matter what that looked like—I could not have known that this simple act of seeking happiness would lead to the astonishing turn of events that brought me to our magnificent new home, an amazing 30-year-in-the-making fabulous family connection, and one of the biggest, most joy-filled, lucrative music-related projects I have ever taken on!
Interestingly, the greatest challenge during this string of manifestations was acknowledging that all of this was actually happening and that it really was okay to be happy about it! So once again, I declared that I was indeed open and willing to allow my happiness to flow, and from this place of acceptance and receptivity, more gifts—including, most importantly, returning to my consistent and natural state of joy—began to flow into my experience!
Whether you are living in bliss or would simply love to feel a little lighter, every path to happiness begins with an open mind and willing heart, so, I ask you:
Are YOU open to allowing greater happiness and joy in your life?
Are YOU willing to do what feels best to YOU in any given moment?
If you answered “yes” to these questions, below are a few ideas that just may serve as catalysts for reigniting your fire of happiness, and for keeping your light shinin’ and your vibe high-flyin’!
The Fire of BEAUTY
Feeling good is indeed a beautiful thing, so observing or creating an experience of beauty can certainly pave the way for letting the bluebird of happiness perch in your heart and keep your fire of joy alive. Why is beauty such a great catalyst for happiness? It can offer a much-needed distraction from a less-than-stellar state of mind (which is the first step in busting out of a funk), and asks nothing from you but to be—and to be enjoyed, if you choose to do so.
DO THIS: Immerse yourself in BEAUTY
Go to spaces and places that inspire you. Beauty is an experience for all of your senses, so what beautiful things do you enjoy seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling, etc.? Go for a walk; enjoy a meal; sniff perfumes, fine wine, or flowers; or simply sit in an environment that feeds your spirit. Here are a few places you may enjoy:
- Your own back (or front) yard. Get a pair of binoculars to get a close look at beautiful local birds and wildlife.
- Cute little towns, buzzing urban areas, or lovely historic districts.
- Neighborhoods with diverse or interesting architecture.
- Lovely dining establishments that offer great atmosphere and tastings. Savoring great food and drink can be a beautiful thing!
- Parks, biking/hiking trails, and waterways, or anything that connects you to nature and the great outdoors.
- Gardens of any kind. Even a garden section of a store can brighten your mood.
- Your local ultra-cool IMAX theater or your own home theater. Watch a feel-good movie or travel series featuring great cinematography.
- Art galleries, museums, or festivals.
- Airports. Even when you don’t have a flight booked, you can tune in to the beautiful vibe of happy travelers (and may get your own juices flowing).
- Concerts and the land of sonic beauty. Great live music has incredible power to stir the emotions, and a happy crowd enjoying music can be energizing. You can also infuse beauty into ANY environment by putting on stunning instrumental music or upbeat, feel-good songs.
- The night sky. Go outside and gaze at those gorgeous heavenly bodies!
- Sporting events. Getting into a beautifully played game can get you out of your head and allow happiness to sneak in when you least expect it.
- Your camera lens. Taking photos to commemorate beautiful moments or focus upon and capture beautiful things (that you can revisit) just may bring you to your happy place!
What would YOU add to the list? Write down your own ideas and then go there NOW!
The Fire of FUN and Happy ADVENTURES
Want to lighten up or simply keep your good vibrations flowing? Let the wheels of FUN and ADVENTURE start rollin’! Just like choosing to focus upon beauty, having the “frivolous” intention of finding things, people, and experiences that feel fun can also help to shift your state of mind and keep a happiness party currently in progress going even longer. Fun and beauty most definitely go hand in hand, but fully engaging in an experience can help you move from being a mere passive observer to becoming a more active participant. And often the physical act of moving your body or doing something that feels good can be even more effective in helping you shift into a happier state of mind faster.
First, ask yourself these questions:
- What activities do you truly enjoy?
- What is something you’ve always wanted to do or learn?
- Write down whatever comes to mind.
Next, ask yourself, “What could be fun to do NOW?” and listen for an answer or feel for a natural impulse.
Follow your inspiration and do that NOW.
Repeat forever.
The Bottom Line: Allowing YOUR Fire of HAPPINESS!
No matter who does what to whom, or what happens around you, it was, is, and always will be up to you to decide whether or not you allow your happiness and life force to flow. Just like you and everyone else, I have experienced times of great emotional upheaval and things going very differently than expected, but when I realized that THE prize was and always will be feeling happiness (AKA joy, love, clarity, and alignment)—and that any other thing, outcome, or approval from whoever was nothing more than a potential path to happiness—I decided to lighten up, cut out the middleman, and allow my fire of happiness to burn for “no good reason.”
Who knew that choosing to be light and easy, focusing on beauty, seeking fun and adventure as much as possible every day, and letting myself be happy now could be THE keys to allowing some of my longest-held heart’s desires to come to pass?
What if happiness really IS all there is, after all?
“Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth…”—Pharrel Williams
Now THAT’S what I call one heck of a bonus, upgrade, and HAPPY surprise!
Terez “Firewoman” Hartmann,“Your catalyst for all things Fab-YOU-lous,” is the author of Allowing Your Success!, a proud contributing author of Transform Your Life! book one and two, a professional Keynote Speaker/Workshop Facilitator, Singer-Songwriter/Recording Artist, “Allowing Adventures!” & “Savor Vacation” Facilitator, and true Renaissance Woman, and Visionary. She keeps her fire lit by embracing and promoting a lifestyle of “Allowing,” and by using creative expression to elevate and ignite the human spirit, a passion that she shares with her husband, soul-mate and creative partner of over 15 years, John Victor Hartmann. Together they share “Allowing TRUE LOVE” workshops and experiences designed to help others attract, allow, and maintain extraordinary relationships, and create custom jingles and voice-overs in their Safety Harbor-based studio, THE Creativity Express. Visit: www.TerezFirewoman.com
