Demystifying the illusions of happiness

The ” Real” of our Reality

(Part 2)

In my previous blog post, The Real of our Reality part 1, I talked about how our reality is nothing more than an illusion filled with material objects that we believe will make us happy. If you haven’t had a chance to read it, click here to read it now! The “Real” of our Reality (Part 1)

In part 2 of this blog, I want to give you steps on how to cultivate true happiness and live a life that embodies everlasting peace. These simple steps are things that I actively practice on a daily basis and have allowed me to see life for what it is truly intended for.

Become Aware of This Moment 

As I look back over my life, I realize most of my greatest moments of suffering and unhappiness were when I lived in the past or future. My thoughts were constantly consumed of past failures, regrets, being successful, having more money, constant comparisons, my purpose etc. You see, our thoughts are tied to our emotions, and anytime you have a less desirable thought, it will always make you feel unhappy. 

Remember this if you take nothing from this blog: Your thoughts are not real.  They are nothing more than units of energy that come and go. But, it is our OWN energy that gives it power and the illusion that they are real. Don’t believe me? Try to have a thought that doesn’t involve the past or future. Impossible, huh? That’s because the only thing that truly exists is the present moment. Now, any time my thoughts begin to take me back to the past or future, I stop and ask myself: Are you aware of THIS moment? Instantly, my awareness is back to the present and a sense of relief and peace comes over me. This tiny change will alleviate your suffering immediately. 

Gratitude 

One of my favorite rappers, Jermaine Cole, once said: 

Always gon’ be a whip that’s better than the one you got

Always gon’ be some clothes that’s fresher than the one’s you rock

Always gon’ be a girl that’s badder out there on the tours

But you ain’t never gon’ be happy till you love yours

In other’s words, love and be grateful for the life you currently have. As a society, we are constantly trying to keep up with the Kardashian’s all while being overly consumed for more. Make gratitude apart of your life! Make it a practice to become grateful for the seemingly “smaller things”. Be grateful that at this appointed time you get to experience the greatest show on earth…Life. 

Remember Who You Are 

For a long time, I believed I was this helpless little person that had no real power. I believed that life was happening to me and that you win some and you lose some. I believed that there was a God, but I believed God existed outside of me and was somewhere chilling in the sky. But as I continue to wake up to who I really am, I realize that the source of all resides within me. In fact, it is in all of us!  This infinite source is the awareness that recognizes the good in people, the peace that randomly consumes you, the love you feel for a person, the empathy you have for our Palestine brothers and sisters, and the smile you give to a stranger. 

You have been given the power, from the source, to create anything you want. This body that we are currently occupying is nothing more than a good-looking suit that allows us to experience life. But who we really are, is spirit having a human experience. 

Here is the interesting thing about life. We all reside on this earth, but no one is having the same experience. And though this experience may seem different, essentially, we are all looking for the same thing…Happiness. What I’ve learned is that shit happens, and that life will throw us lemons along the way, but it is up to us to turn those lemons into some fire lemonade!