While staying up late last night studying (of course I waited until the very last minute) for my Psychology of Personality exam today, I came across something rather interesting.
On the topic of “happiness” one particular statement has been echoing in my head and I’m starting to believe it’s true.
The statement: “It has long been known that happiness correlates with many positive outcomes in life, such as marriage, longevity, self-esteem, and satisfaction with one’s job.”
That one statement has made me reevaluate myself, especially after reading about neuroticism versus happiness and various other factors that lead to “life satisfaction.”
I think it’s sort of a circular argument, but the take away message is clearly that being happy, or at least trying to be happy, can radiate positivity. Which, come on, everyone could use more of these days.
I feel like that makes all of the difference. Using myself as a example, I can tell you that my mouth and my emotions are strongly tied. So when my temper is tampered with, my mouth often leads me to trouble. When I’m angry that anger or neuroticism lasts and I become crazy in my own fury; I can literally feel the rage bubbling in my chest.
Sometimes someone will do or say something that drives me insane and makes me want to drive the car right over them. If I chose to hang onto that anger then it affects everything in my day(s) and makes me an Amira I’m not so proud of. But every once in a while I willingly, that’s the key word -willingly- let go of it. I chose to not be angry, to not hold that grudge, and even be amiable until I drive the fury away.
That choice always has the better ending.
Unfortunately I can’t force myself to chose that ending as much as I’d like to. It happens only once in a while because I don’t posses the discipline to always think about this before my actions speak for me. That’s just asking for too much.Hah.
But I do want to be a more positive person and not end up like the people I know who are trapped in depression, hate, bitterness, who choose to do nothing about their emotions, and not take control of their state of being. It’s going to take a lot of work because it’s easier to be resentful than to let go of the animosity.
There’s also the concept of a “self-fulfilling prophecy” in which the more you believe something about yourself, the more it becomes a reality. I want to believe that I’m a happy person; that I can live a content and purposeful life; and that I can have wonderful relationships.
And if I fail in trying to be a genuinely happier person, then I’m going to fake it ’til I make it!
I will start off my new identity with a happy dance.
*happy dancing*
Dance with me?
I love you. Let’s be best friends. Seriously, when can you move here? I’d say we’d move there, but we drove through your state last December and did not have a pleasant experience.
LOL -Steph, as long as I’ve lived here, I STILLLLLLL hate driving across this monstrous state and all of it’s horrendous humidity and lack of any real scenery.
Sounds like I just love Texas, huh?
But yes, I’d love to move to Alabama or anywhere at this point.
Next time you pass through, stop by Houston and give me a call!
Yes, I want to dance with you. Rage and state of fury is something i know a bit too well. unfourt. others outside of the home has a hard time believing its so. but, ppl inside of the home know it too well. May Allah help us both shake that anger off. ameen!
Ameen Ashmin!
Yes, I have a temper problem, lol, but it’s really not a laughing matter because it eats away at your other otherwise wonderful qualities.
I’m trying this happiness thing out and hopefully we make it a constant state for us!
Talk to you sooner or later =)
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dude, you aer doing a really good job of hiding your anger because I have never seen it!
You are and will always be happy Amira to me!
Of course everyone gets angry, but some people really can go overboard with acting on those strong emotions. I mean, we all slip up but we should not make these kind of overpassionate actions. Sometimes when I am really angry, I will shake all over and THAT is scary. I just have to shut my mouth in those instances, but alhamdulillah that is rare. Anger is a VERY scary thing!
may Allah protect us all from extreme and unreasonable anger and the harmful actions that result!
Maybe it was the years I spent in drama/theater…but honeyboo, I can get angry.
And yes, Ameen to your duaa.
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