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Feb
17

Opposites Day: Happiness is Not Circumstance Dependent

happiness

Well look at us…here we are again. I was grateful a couple of weeks ago that so many of you took part in the new segment (Opposites Day) here at Camp IBBB. I wasn’t sure if anyone would really get it, but I was surely proven wrong. In trying to keep up with the weekly practice here of Opposites Day, I wanted to share with you a quote I read from Marianne Williamson. She states that “Happiness is not circumstance dependent.” It took a while for that to sink in. Perhaps I’m not the sharpest crayon in the box of french fries. One may never know and no all at the same time. Moving on. Happiness is not circumstance dependent. I’m guilty for sure of thinking the opposite of this. Maybe I’ll see you on Judge Judy? Fingers crossed. Anysmut, looking back I seemed to have always placed my happiness on a “when this happens I will be happy” mentality. When someone from E! reads this site and “gets me” and hires me for something….I will be happy then.  When I get in a successful relationship and that person gets me…I will be happy then.  When I make “x” amount of dollars or have a certain amount of money in the bank…I will be happy then.  It seems like common sense, I guess, that that’s not how the world works.  Why that never ever clicked with me until recently is beyond me.  I choose now to be happy.  I choose to be happy with me.  I choose to live more in the present and detach from what I see to be the outcomes of happiness.  Apparently I choose to use italics a whole lot more.

While I still have goals and desires I’m detaching from the outcome of those goals and desires as a way to spew out into the universe that I’m willing to see what it knows as to be true what will bring the most happiness into my life.  Maybe it’s not what I thought would do it.  Regardless, I choose to be happy today.  Everything I need I already have today.  It’s enough.  I am enough.  And I’m open to any and all possibilities that are out there waiting for me to claim them.

So now that I’ve shared with you (like a good boy in 1st grade would) it’s time for you to share with me/us.  What are you holding on to in the future that you think will make you happy?  At the same time, what are you going to let go of starting right now?  Share with me in the comments section of this craptastically built website that, yes, is still being held together by sugar water, gum, a couple of lines of code, and a few pennies from the same wishing well that Baby Jessica “played in.”

*Programming Note:  Of course, Teen Mom 2 recaps will resume as of Tuesday morning…as Barbara Evans is something I will never let go of.  Wink wink, chuckle, puke.

Past Opposites Day Links:
What are You Grateful For Today?



Craptastic Thoughts from IBBB Readers!

  1. IBBB Said,

    Like this blog post? Did you click on the “Recommend Button” to share this with your Facebook friends?

    Also, join me on my Facebook page and let’s get to talking!

    http://www.facebook.com/patrick.varone.3

    and follow me on Twitter because that’s always a treat:

    http://www.twitter.com/ibbb

    And how about Pinterest?

    http://www.pinterest.com/theibbb

    Ole!

    -IBBB

  2. BarbsItchingPowderCrabs Said,

    I always used to think I couldn’t be happy until I was married, but over the last few years I came to realize how much happier I actually was when I quit looking, and focus on my family. If I never meet the one and end up an old spinster (like Barb) I would be happy. Barb and I could live out our days in quaint little beach house, pranking everyone we meet, like we’re auditioning for the Jersey Shore. And that dream, I will never let go of.

  3. Darling Nikki Said,

    I USED to think being with an idiot (well he is an idiot to me) was keeping me happy and I NEEDED to be in a relationship to be happy. Yet now I truely am happy with being alone. I also enjoy using any catch phrases to sum up my kids especially the 6 yr old. Yes indeed I enjoy calling her Bricks at times and having my 5 yr old act like a turkey especially like Gobbles the turkey Timmy had. I also take pride in knowing that if you are in a serious rut just watch Maury or Jerry Springers game show Baggae and then you will know things could be a lot worse and could be searching for love on a show that exposes all you deep dark secrets. Kinda like Teen Mom. The.More.You.Know

  4. gingermandy Said,

    Yep, I am definitely guilty of this. One of the main things I know will make me insatiably happy that I am having the hardest time doing is traveling and moving to California for a few years. I am a broke ass writer with college debt so it’s not exactly easy to move out of Detroit and plan trips to Ireland and Thailand and Australia, and for some reason I have the attitude that one day things will just change (I will have more free time and make a million dollars off my blog out of nowhere) and I will be able to do it. Nope! Even if I know I can’t travel the world this year or move out west just yet, that doesn’t mean I can’t make goals and save up for it, which will bring it that much closer to reality.

  5. Jenny Said,

    I used to think that when I made more money I would be happy, but now I have a beauty of a daughtaaah and I know what true happiness is

  6. ThisShitIsGettingSadNow Said,

    I will be happy when i am model-thin. But i am just beginning to realize, that maybe you dont have to hide every single flaw you have? Everyone has em, right?

  7. Orange Zits Said,

    I used to think that money made people happy, despite that old saying that money can’t buy happiness. Now I understand that money definitely isn’t the key, it’s family and making memories, being a good person and trying hard to make your kids good people as well.

  8. IBBB Said,

    Thanks all for sharing!

    -IBBB

  9. MOMTO6 Said,

    I’m letting go of the desire to live in a McMansion. The house we own right now is a good house, with plenty of space, and if I put on some effort I could learn to love it more.

    I’m holding on to the goal of a larger piece of land to increase our hobby farm.

  10. Jennifer Said,

    I think what you’re describing here is inner peace. I know lots (all) of people who have more than me, but have no inner peace. Waiting for something new to make you happy is in essence “wishing your life away,” as my grandfather used to say; it’s the same thing as kids who can’t wait to grow up just they can finally stay up late. I felt the same way about being able to wear makeup until I wrote my first rent check.

    I realized that I was happy when I was finally over a bad relationship and not looking to replace it. If someone comes along, so be it, but deciding a someone else will bring me happiness set’s the stage for living with Pirate Mike. As both he and Garfield would say “Arrrrrg.”

  11. Jennifer Said,

    Sorry, I didn’t answer the question. I need to stop holding onto losing just five pounds. It’s a recipe for the self loathing one can feel for not being good enough #thankscosmo.

  12. Go Directly to Gel Said,

    Definitely marriage. While I still have it as a goal, it dawned on me not long ago that I’m actually enjoying the single life & maybe that’s where I need to be now. Of course that didn’t stop me from feeling sorry for myself when my coworkers were getting flowers delivered to them on Vday. ;-)

  13. M Said,

    When I was in 7th grade, I was 100% CONVINCED that if I got white slip on Vans, my life would become PERFECT. I got them, and guess what – I just wanted something else, and it wasn’t so perfect. And this is true in life in MANY situations for me. I almost 46 now, and that was a great lesson to learn at that age. Be happy with what you have basically. AND happiness is perception – you can have all the same circumstances and one day you’re not happy with them, the next day you are ? Fickle.

    What makes me happy now is volunteer work I do. I work with youth in Foster Care. You think your life is messed up, try being 13 and utterly and completely ALONE. Its changed my perception on life. Its been like free therapy. They ’said’ we would get more out of it as mentors than the kids, boy they weren’t kidding. You can’t be a complete anxietal ( is that a word ? ) neurotic wreck when your kid needs you to speak up in court for them, to arrange tutors, make sure they eat, to get clothing allowances from places where there is no $$ available for such things. Its very liberating to get your head pulled out of your ass.

  14. ThisShitIsGettingSadNow Said,

    Jennifer- the cosmo models got to me too lol

  15. Going to Hoard Said,

    I think in the future I would be happy being my own boss, working for myself. (But Uncle Sam would demand so much to be satisfied with a personal venture, it would be financial suicide.)

    I have to let go of the fact that my education and experience are going to ensure a position commeasurate to my abilities.

  16. Going to Hoard "Animals" Said,

    Going to Hoard ANIMALS. That will be my fulfillment.

  17. Not Goggles Said,

    I definitely agree with everyone about the relationship thing.. I’m learning now that it’s not everything. My mom gave me some great advice, and that is to be happy in a relationship, you must be happy with yourself first. If you don’t love yourself, how can you expect anyone else to love you? So right now I’m dedicated to working on myself.. And drinking lots of wine.

    Also.. I’ve learned that its good to have a plan for your life, but there is a very slim chance that those things will happen exactly when and how you want them to.

  18. tyler loves my-kuhl Said,

    After having five kids, I have packed on extra pounds. Some of it being pure laziness on my part, I will admit. Although I have a wonderful hubby and family who tell me I look great no matter what, my mindset for the past couple of years is “I’ll be happy when I lose five or ten more pounds”. I have recently noticed my hang ups about my weight are starting to negatively affect my nine year old daughter, who sometimes will make disparaging remarks about herself. I don’t want her to go through life thinking she is anything but perfect. She is in no way overweight. So, I am letting go of make mean remarks about myself, and fretting over pants or shirts I can longer get into. I am happy with my self ( trying to be) and will no longer say mean things to myself. Thanks for this new weekly post idea, it’s helping me and I’m sure others realize what’s important in this crazy world we live in!!!!

  19. tyler loves my-kuhl Said,

    May I extend a sincere Thank You, Patrick??? I went to work at four am this morning in the freezing cold and instead of dragging my butt in expecting yet another craptastic day, I went in with a smile and a bounce in my step and TOLD myself today was going to be a good day. And you know what??? It was a really good day, and I have you to thank for adopting a positive attitude. So, THANKS!

  20. Dora the Explorer Said,

    I really like these segments. It’s almost like you are a deep, complicated person!

    My thing is my job. I loathe it and tell myself all the time that once I get my masters degree and find another job, I’ll be happy. However, there is no perfect job/career so I need to be happy now! Easier said then done, I guess.

  21. Janourted Fetus Said,

    It took me FO-EVA to realize that my purpose in this world is NOT to make anyone else’s life happy or better, or tolerable for that matter. I finally figured out that by focusing on others I was negating MY purpose altogether.

    I don’t even know what would make me happy, but I’ve found that just choosing “the opposite” (see what I did there?) of anguish and frustration really helps! Instead of taking on responsibilty for other people, I have begun to say NO to stuff that doesn’t leave my heart lighter. For instance, the other day, I chose to light-heartedly say in my mind to every person I met that didn’t make me smile, “bitch, imma kill you.” With a smile, of course :) I am normally opposed to putting bad vibes out in the world, but I just did it that one day, and ya know what? I was HAPPY – and empowered.

    In the past I have taken on everybody else’s bad day as if my niceties could save the world… No more! I got me some BOUNDARIES! ;)

  22. bacca Said,

    Patrick, this is getting deep and leading me to introspection! I like it. You are my opposite! Just reading this blog is so totally unlike me. I’m usually pretty solemn and no one who knows me would believe I’m participating. You bring joy! Thanks.

  23. Chelsea's Head That Looks Like A Meringue Said,

    Well, I know that most people are guilty of this kind of thinking – I know I am but I’m slowly starting to realize that the old quote is true – happiness is a journey and not a destination.

    I’ve always been extremely shy and self-conscious and always thought that I could be more like my sisters – bubbly, out-going and with heaps of friends – I’d be happy. Now that I know that the few close friends I do have are worth their weight in gold to me and that they love me for who I am, which means that there’s no need for me to feel awkward or shy when I’m around them.

    Not Goggles – your mother sure did give you some great advice! It’s something mine always told me and it’s one of the few pearls of wisdom I heard that actually stuck and made sense to me.

  24. Joe's Rap Career Said,

    Thanks for this post! I think this is something we all struggle with to a degree. Like many, I thought id be happy when I get a better paying job, more secure relationship, etc. I know that I’m not happy with what I have now, then I won’t be happy with what I *think* I want.

  25. your left ovary Said,

    Mine is always about money. I’ll be happy when my stepdaughter is old enough to come visit on her own volition without us having to pay a lawyer to take her incubator to court to make her allow it.
    I do feel like I’ll be happy when I don’t have to worry about whether there’s enough in my account to cover the bills though. (I’m another one of those “Once I finish my degree…” people, come on May 2018!)

  26. T*ts on a Stick Said,

    Oddly enough I’ve been pondering this idea a lot lately. I’ve always been like that — I’ll be happy when x happens, or when y happens I’ll be happy. I’m finally figuring out that it just doesn’t work that way. But it is so hard to shake that mindset! Because dammit of course I’ll be happy if I lose 5 lbs, why wouldn’t I be? Of course I’ll be happy if we can build a bigger house, that would be awesome! But waiting for the happy to happen takes its toll after a while and thinking like that makes it harder to enjoy the here and now, and I’ve got a lot to appreciate and be thankful for here and now.