"Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light." - Dumbledore
It is my belief that like so many things in life, happiness is a choice. I believe that it is fully within my power to choose how I interpret every situation, every event; it is in my power to choose to be happy, to choose joy. When I make the decision to smile even when life feels hard, when I make the decision to laugh even when I feel down, when I make the decision act silly and erupt into a fit of giggles...I am choosing joy.
There are occasions when I act incredibly silly, and on these occasions there are some people who tell me I'm acting childish. To these people my response is this:
Is it truly childish to let loose and be myself? Are children the only ones who are allowed to spin in circles just to feel the wooblies in their bellies, or who are allowed to sing at the top of their lungs while dancing in the living room? Perhaps instead we as adults have just forgotten what it is to let go of our inhibitions and of societal expectations, to let go of our fears so we may feel the freedom to be ourselves.
I don't believe that acting silly means that I'm not mature. Believe me, as an INTJ (Meyers-Briggs), I know how to be incredibly serious and overly responsible. Without explicit effort, I easily fall into a pattern of solitude and overzealous discipline. I have actively made a life decision to not allow the responsibilities and commitments of being an adult interfere with my happiness. In truth, I believe that acting silly and partaking in "childish" adventures reveals a deeper connection to my Self which is a sign of maturity.
I hope that as long as I live, I will continue to climb trees, to swing on swings, and to run headfirst into every body of water I come in contact with...no matter how cold it is. I hope that on the days when I need a lift, that I chose to sing at the top of my lungs while I jaunt around in the grass. I hope I continue to make up words and funny faces, and continue to create puns and riddles just for the fun of it all.
I have read many articles and books that explain that happiness does not come from successful life events. Instead happiness comes from small daily interactions with people and from hobbies and activities for which we are full of passion. In other words, it's the small stuff that counts.
What can you do right now, that would bring a smile to your lips? Even in the toughest of times, can you look at the situation without judgment or expectation and discover even a small piece of the situation that would make you laugh? Can you empower yourself to choose joy?
Over the past few years I have deliberately chosen to be my silly self, and it has made all the difference in my happiness, in my relationships, and in my entire life.