HAPPINESS ONLY LASTS AS LONG AS YOU LET IT by Pennie Hunt

​When was the last time you were angry? How long did the anger last? Sometimes when you are angry for a long time you can’t even pinpoint what you are angry about, so you become angry about everything.

To identify the core reason that you are angry, you need to ask one question… What are you afraid of?

For example, are you angry when your spouse shows up late for your work event? Or are you afraid your boss will notice? Dig deeper. Are you afraid your boss will notice or are you afraid you will be embarrassed when your boss notices? Being embarrassed may be one of your biggest fears, so anything that happens in your life that may cause you embarrassment will light that fire of anger.

We build walls to protect us from our fears. If someone tampers with our walls our fears strengthen. Our mind tells us, “I knew it, my fear is coming true.” Anytime the wall gets bumped the protective reaction is to fight. We get angry. Your spouse being late was never the reason you were angry – your anger was a reaction to your fear. You feared being embarrassed.

When you struggle with what you are afraid of you create your suffering. Your suffering will only last as long as you let it. Repeat - Your suffering will only last as long as you let it.

Pinpoint what your fears are. Remember times in your life when you have been angry and examine it until you find the basis of fear. After you find one, keep digging, what else are you afraid of? Once you know your core fears, take down the walls. When you do, you will learn to control your anger and not let it last long. You will still have experiences that may trigger your fears, but you will begin to see them as part of life. You will begin to see that everyone has fears, and everyone learns from them.

Let’s look at filling in the blank in other ways. If you are tired, being tired will last as long as you let it - until you rest. Loneliness will only last as long as you let it. Disappointment will only last as long as you let it. Do you see the pattern? You are in control.

Now this is where it gets good. Flip this in the direction of happiness. What if you realized that happiness will only last as long as you let it? Let’s say you are at your wedding or a holiday celebration. You feel happy. But what is making you feel happy? What is the core reason for your happiness?

Are you happy because of the decorations, the party clothes, or the cake? Is it the presents that make you feel happy? When you dig deeper, you may find that what makes you feel happy is the feeling of love from family and friends. When you pinpoint the core reason for your happiness you will understand how to control it.

When the wedding or holiday celebration is over, your happiness does not have to end. Just because your family and friends are not gathered in a balloon-filled room, doesn’t mean they don’t love you. Knowing you are loved by them becomes a core reason for you to be happy every day. Happiness will last as long as you let it.
Fill in the blank with positive emotions. Joy will only last as long as you let it. Peace will only last as long as you let it. You have more control over the emotions you feel than you believe you do.

We can’t control everything that happens in our life and there will always be ups and downs, but if you want permanent happiness and permanent joy you must understand the core reasons for your happiness. You must learn that these core reasons are with you all the time, not just situationally. It won’t matter if it is a Monday, if the weather is gloomy, or for whatever reason you have allowed to take away your happiness in the past.
Remember, happiness will only last as long as you let it.  
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                                                 Pennie’s Life Lesson:
           Once you understand the core reasons for your emotions,
                              you will have the power to control them. 
                               ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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​YOUR TURN...        
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