I Can Be Happy AND

I can be happy AND

Be stressed
Worried
Going through some shit

We seek happiness as an end goal and think that we have to have every duck in a row and everything working out perfectly

But if we wait for that,
We will never
Ever
Be happy.
Ever.

You have to cultivate it like the precious flower it is.
Tend to it
Water it
Feed it
Talk to it.
Support it as it grows.
And don’t forget to pull all the weeds that try to steal its nutrients.

When you are having a good moment
A happy day
And especially when it’s a joyful reprieve
Celebrate it.
Bask in it
Share it with your safe people who will celebrate you and your joy.

We don’t have to only share our struggles.
We don’t have to find company in it or bond over it.
And if we have, there’s room to change it slowly and gently and with intention of balance and honouring both of course.

Simply start by noticing oh I had a moment of happy right there.
How wonderful.
Then notice the next one
And the next.
Call attention to it
Write it down
Notice what it was that helped you feel that way and see if it’s repeatable

Even in stress.
In grief
In pain
You are allowed to find moments of happy,
No matter how small or fleeting they are.

Do not let the liar that is guilt tell you otherwise.

It is okay for you to be happy,

Even if just for a moment,

When the world is in turmoil,

When you have lost a love

When you are feeling lost,

Let that moment give you a moment of relief, of breathing room, of pause before the next wave of grief or pain or stress comes back around.