.

Metro

  • Written by Eric North aka “The Happiness Warrior”


“If you let go a little, you will have a little happiness. If you let go a lot, you will have a lot of happiness. If you let go completely, you will be free." Ajahn Chah

The holidays are always a time when we yearn for connection, commonality of good will, feelings of joy, and belonging. It’s also a season of heightened emotions, darker days, lingering in the past, and feelings of loneliness and regret. We all have our own experiences and biases, but deep down most of us want to enjoy ourselves and feel the happiness that’s so embedded in the spirit of the season. Every human has the right to be happy.

As The Happiness Warrior, I’ve always believed that it’s the attitude we live by and project to others that creates the patterns of the world that we live in. This personal truth is essential to all that wish to live a good life, but also take great steps to avoid.

We have the power to realize this at any time we choose in our most sacred thoughts, words, and actions. Mindset is nothing more than a choice that guides us, and the holidays are no exception.

We can develop our mindset to help us in any situation, but the holidays are when we need it the most. We can set our intention to becoming our own happiness warriors when we are unafraid to look deep into ourselves and live in a place of honesty and authenticity. With these truths we can live our best lives and be ready and grateful for everything. We can set our own course and create the story of our own magical journey. We can make every day better than the last and make each day more meaningful than before. We can create the environment that we choose in life when we are present and start living for ourselves and not for the expectations of others. The holidays are a chance to retell our story and reinvent ourselves.

I remember the holidays of my childhood with warm feelings of being with my cousins in New England. All of us piled around the living room in sleeping bags eagerly awaiting Christmas morning and the gifts and good times that we shared together. There was usually snow on the ground and I’d eagerly await the arrival of my cherished grandparents.

Memories of our most innocent times are always the best but eventually life’s pressures and struggles can take over. Over the years things changed, our paths grew further apart, and we no longer spend the holidays together. Nostalgia is powerful and these are some of my happiest and most authentic memories.

Over the years as I approached adulthood the serious issues in my family dynamic came to the surface and we began to grow more fragmented and hurt. I was struggling with my own identity and became more distant and had my own secrets to hold close. We still came together and made the effort but eventually it began to be about options rather than obligations and we saw each other less and less.

Five years ago, I decided to take a stand and asked for us all to be together. My heart is always open, and I was looking forward to the day with anticipation of happiness. I was optimistic in my expectations, but when the time came for us to gather only a few of us were on time and others had made it less of a priority. It was disappointing but I focused on the positives and shared a smile and pleasant word with everyone present. At least we were together, and the process of healing could start.

All too soon, I heard a verbal attack from across the room and slowly but surely signs of discord began to emerge. Condescension grew, but I ignored it and put on a good show. Deep down I was saddened and felt more apart and fragmented than ever.

We hadn’t seen each other all together as one in so long, but harsh words had started and been stored away for the future. Instead of a reunion it was more a let-down. In my heart, it’s always better to know that we’ve tried than to give up.

CREATE THE MOOD

Last Summer I went out to the countryside to visit family members who I once loved and cherished very much but had fallen into opposite sides of the moral and political spectrum. I was hurt by their words and actions, probably too proud, and had stayed away for too long.

As I drove out to the foothills of the mountains I took a deep breath and looked in the mirror and smiled.  I told myself out loud that it would be a great visit and checked in with my intention and spirit. I’ve always thought hard about obtaining the best solution to any problem and have always tackled them in search of a happy solution. I figured this was no different and all would be well, but little did I know the ignorance and depths of the situation.

When I arrived the first thing I saw was a bumper sticker that spewed hate and disinformation. How could they have strayed so far from the truth and the people around that still loved them? It was hateful and disrespectful, but I persevered and kept on going. Thoughts of fleeing went through my head, but I knocked on the door with a quiet sense of resolution. I would be patient and listen without judgment or reaction.

It wasn’t the greatest visit, but I mostly listened and tried to keep the conversation going. It felt like we lived on different planets, but I made a few friendly gestures of reconciliation. Mostly I felt a sense of aggression and underlying desire for confrontation. Life will go on, but I need to try. It’s times like this that make me so grateful for my sense of humor and morality. I realized that I had no need to shame or judge them.

USE YOUR CHARM

The best way to spend time with people or family that you haven’t seen in a while is to be friendly and welcoming from the start in both words and body language. It’s much easier to walk into a room when we are smiling, confident, and secure in your truths. Be honest with yourself and know your shortcomings, but never fear to show up for yourself and reveal who you really are. Ask yourself what makes you feel great about yourself and see how that changes your relationships and perspective of others. Earn respect by your actions and carefully select your words. Others will mirror your actions and correspond with respect and admiration.

Always remember to:

-Listen and appreciate what someone else has to say. You don’t have to believe it, but if there are any doubts they are best kept safely in our inner thoughts. The old saying “people always tell you who they are” is always the truth. Words have spirit and never go away….

-Remember that less is more, even if you do really “know everything” it’s better to keep this to ourselves. No one likes a “know-it-all” or someone who feels the need to match our stories and adventures.

-Smiling is both the best introduction and the best escape route. It’s harder to argue with a smile, even if you are removing yourself from an unpleasant situation.

-Body language is the first line of defense when faced with a new person or situation. Head up and eyes clearly meeting another’s the best start to any social interaction. Show-up for your life and others will show their appreciation. No slouching and keep unnecessary body movements in hand.

-Get plenty of rest beforehand. Sleep is an important foundation for getting into the right headspace. Never go hungry to any event that might be emotionally exhausting or makes you feel anxious.

--Maintain a positive perspective and develop a serendipitous mindset. Things might not always go our way, but there will always be something surprising that will bring us joy.

FORGET YOUR FEARS

Too often our fears are only as deep as our egos and misinterpretations. The future that we imagine in the present is always the opposite of what will happen. Adapt a “ready for anything” mindset and find your sense of purpose and adventure.

Ego is the enemy of our success and happiness in life. Be mindful of its power and careful in your intention. When we understand the damage that our pride has on our spirit we can rise and increase our vibration.

As we go about another set of holidays let’s remember the true spirit of the season. The beauty of the human connection is at its fullest when we live our lives with open hearts and good intentions. Our words have spirit, and all actions have consequences. The holidays are a time to be together but also a time to live with a sense of atonement and reflection. Be grateful for what makes each of us unique and special but never forget the lives of those we love and cherish. Make this holiday the best ever and live in with your best intention. Gratitude is always the way to thrive in every situation.







ERIC NORTH - The Happiness Warrior

Self acceptance is happiness

Life is often hard for all of us. We face obstacles, sometimes we stumble, but we each have the ability to determine our attitude and mindset. No matter what we face on the journey ahead, we can learn to take ourselves in a new direction. We can ch...

Look in the mirror and like what you see

I grew up in the South at a time when it was frowned upon to be authentic and free of spirit. Being different or extraordinary was not something that was welcomed or celebrated. Stepping across the “line” was a calculated risk. It was a very hard t...

Emotional intelligence is our superpower

As The Happiness Warrior, I believe that happiness begins within our own innermost thoughts and consciousness being. Happiness can be elusive for many but when we realize that it’s entirely self-created we can begin the process of changing our live...

The journey is the destination

I’ve always thought of life as a playing board in a challenging and rewarding game. While it may not always seem like we are winning, we always have the ability to make the next move or decision. Change is constant and the game is always before us. I...

The clarity connection

In our fast-paced paced and rapidly changing world we can feel disconnected from our true selves. Almost without knowing it, we can forego the guiding force of our inner voice and the clarity of thought it provides. We can feel unempowered, frust...

Redefining freedom

As The Happiness Warrior, I’ve always defined freedom as the ability to be our authentic selves without judgment or need for validation. This is freedom in its purest form and one that no one has the power to take from us. The feeling of being whol...

Earth Day Every Day

For most of my life I’ve been an environmentalist whether I was conscious of it or not. It’s an instinctive feeling that I can’t deny. I’ve always felt a reverence for all things in the natural world around me. In the days before the internet and e...

Solitude is golden

"The person who fears to be alone will never be anything but lonely" - Thomas Merton As The Happiness Warrior, nothing makes me happier than befriending strangers and making a connection. Sharing the magic of laughter and joy. Without a doubt, happy...

What is our truth?

There are no eternal facts as there are no absolute truths — Frederich Nietzsche Life can be confusing, it can be challenging, and be filled with alarming surprises. Life is also a beautiful gift that we all share in this moment. The truth is all ar...

How to set things right

As The Happiness Warrior, I believe that everyone deserves the chance to live a happy and fulfilled life. It’s a viewpoint that is shared by many and one that is increasingly becoming a global objective and marker for quality of life. Happiness is ...

How to stop giving up on ourselves

When I was younger I often felt I was at war with my inner self and truth. I was raised in the conservative South in the nineteen seventies. Speaking up or saying something out of place was shamed and scorned. It wasn’t a time or place when people va...

GROWTH MINDSET ACTIVATION

As The Happiness Warrior, I’ve always believed in our ability as humans to inspire our personal growth and happiness. This practice is elevated when we use a growth mindset that’s tuned in fully with our choice of attitude and active intention. It's ...

Playing the game of life

I’ve seen and experienced a great deal in my fifty-eight years. My thirst for reckless and dangerous endeavors in my youth has been somewhat tamed. I might be older, but I still have the same spark and I eagerly choose adventure and surprise. I wil...

International Happiness Day 2023

The International Day of Happiness was created in 2012 by the United Nations and a partner group composed of members from 160 nations called Action for Happiness. The ultimate goal of the project is to demonstrate that progress is increasing worl...

Why not be your best?

Every night before sleep, I sit on the edge of bed and softly vocalize my triumphs and missteps of the past day. It’s a discipline that I’ve developed over time and one that always served me well. It’s always straight from my heart in an earnest mish...

Intention is the destination

Intention is the most powerful force in the Universe and when properly applied can propel your life in directions you never imagined possible. "Intention is not something you do, but something you connect to. When you change the way you look at thi...

Rejection or protection

Every one of us has been rejected at one time or another. It’s a fact of life and a feeling that can cause us great shame and unnecessary self-esteem destroying emotions. It’s feeling that many of us shrink and hide from, but it’s also a feeling that...

Beware the offended ego

"When you are offended at any man’s fault, turn to yourself, and study your own failings. Then you will forget your anger." —Epictetus As The Happiness Warrior, I’m constantly reminded of the contradictions in my earlier life and behaviors and how i...

Metropolitan Business News

How can you mine and trade Bitcoin?

Bitcoin is a virtual currency that acts as a form of payment and is not controlled by one person like fiat money. Hence it is not controlled by a third party in financial transactions. It is paid ...

Advanced Placement Strategies for Caution Wet Floor Signs in High-Traffic Areas

A caution wet floor sign is no ordinary warning device. It serves the vital purpose of notifying individuals about treacherous and slippery conditions in an area. Its presence acts as a proactive meas...

5 Futuristic Businesses of 2023: Exploring Latest Business Trends

In today’s world, success is not measured solely by profit margins but also by the positive impact made on the world. Now, we get to experience a world where the future meets the present and creat...

Data discovery: why your business needs it for compliance

Every company has to protect their information against unwanted breaches. But organisational information expands at a daily rate, and so it becomes even more important to track the data. Organisat...

9 good reasons to start your investment journey

Are you doing the right thing by starting your investment journey? Whether you're an experienced investor or a beginner, there are many benefits to investing. Here are 9 great reasons why you shou...

Will eCommerce Businesses Be Affected by the Financial Crisis?

As unfortunate as it is, the current financial crisis has had a negative impact on eCommerce businesses. In fact, some have already reported a drop in sales as customers cut back on spending. eComme...


NewsServices.com

Content & Technology Connecting Global Audiences

More Information - Less Opinion