100 Days of HAPPY! Nirvana the first 25 days

nir·va·na

noun, often capitalized \nir-ˈvä-nə, (ˌ)nər-\

: the state of perfect happiness and peace in Buddhism where there is release from all forms of suffering

: a state or place of great happiness and peace

 

It would be easy to write about the ultimate dosage of happiness and implicate every detail of my journey so far as nothing less than roses and rainbows. But I won’t. Throughout the past 25 days if there is one life lesson I have learned to embrace is that of utter honesty. When I began my journey on July 18^th I adopted a theory that if I remained open to new ideas and spoke my inner truths to others without reservation I would find a greater level of happiness. In studying Buddhist texts and reading “We Are the Ones We Have Been Waiting For” by Alice Walker I indicated that a release of burden is the truest form of happiness- nirvana.

 

Though happiness isn’t a permanent feeling, it still holds such a strong influence on who you are for even a moment. A smile at the little girl hanging from the grocery cart ahead of you, a giggle at the cutest guy you’ve ever seen tripping over his feet to take a glance at you, or even a stomach cramping laugh with your brothers about that one time, that one summer, long ago. My level of happiness began the very first day I began the 100 Happy Days challenge. In the moment I submitted my short form I knew this experience would make me discover things I never knew about myself and ways to improve my demeanor in the most undesired situations.  

 

I observed my friends and family, viewing them with a fresh perspective and seeing a beauty in them I had never paid much attention to. I’ve become more attentive and curious about why things happen the way they do, even how they can be changed or avoided. I didn’t take the challenge to stay the same, I took it to discover my happiness. In order to do that I have to explore every other feeling and emotion I have to offer as well. Remaining open to the elements of self awareness I have embraced happiness in a new way and willed myself to find the happiness in the sadness, a smile through the embarrassment, and the strength through my weakness.

Now don’t get me wrong my life is a ball of sunshine but this challenge has helped me to view life through more perspectives than one. It’s not just about happiness, if it was, this wouldn’t be different from any other day for me. So while you find your happy realize your sad, angry, funny, unwavering self as well. 

Peace, love, happiness, NIRVANA.

Lyrric Cosby Jackson

100 Days of Happy??????

HAPPY Defined:

Main Entry: hap·py 
Pronunciation: \ˈha-pē\
Function: adjective
Inflected Form(s): hap·pi·er; hap·pi·est
Etymology: Middle English, from hap
Date: 14th century

1 :  favored by luck or fortune :  fortunate <a happy coincidence> 2 :  notably fitting, effective, or well adapted :  felicitous <a happy choice> 3 a :  enjoying or characterized by well-being and contentment <is the happiest person I know> <a happy childhood> b :  expressing, reflecting, or suggestive of happiness <a happy ending> c :  glad, pleased <I'm happy to meet you> d :  having or marked by an atmosphere of good fellowship :  friendly <a happy office> 


The way we think and how we feel dictate the decisions we make every day. With every moment that passes we are constantly faced with a plethora of splendid situations and a series of sometimes unfortunate happenings that alter our state of thought and shift our feelings. Even though being happy relates to the short term it can lead to the long term emotional high know as JOY. 

For months I've observed several of my Instagram friends post photos with a comment: #100happydays. Finally I became intrigued. This mysterious hashtag has got to have reason behind it right? So I googled it. Yes I googled it. To my surprise this hashtag held a greater meaning and it caught my attention. With, and I quote, "71% of people tried to complete this challenge, but failed quoting lack of time as the main reason.These people simpy did not have time to be happy. Do you? " -100happydays.com

I took that "Do you?" As a challenge. Though I'm happy and I smile every chance I get, I think this is just the challenge to test my true temporary emotion: happiness. Beginning July 18, 2014 I will document my happiness via Instagram and post a new article every 25 days to the Bars and Warfare Blog. Will this work...will  I realize some amazing truth about myself, NO IDEA, but I hope you stick around to read about my journey. This could get wild. 

If you'd like more information about getting happy yourself go towww.100happydays.com and take a dive. You may discover a new you and a new sort of happy. 

Peace and love,
-Lyrric Cosby Jackson