Happiness: Mission Possible - Only If You're Willing to Lose Control

Happiness: Mission Possible - Only If You're Willing to Lose Control
by Rebecca L. Norrington

There are countless reasons why people are not as happy as they can be. In this article I'd like to share what I discovered to be a couple of foundational reasons for unhappiness.

First, let me be clear: The happiness I'm talking about has nothing to do with an event you've experienced or a situation you've found yourself in, or even a relationship with another person. No, the happiness I'm referring to is internal happiness. It's a feeling of peace in mind, regardless of what you're outwardly experiencing. Peace coupled with unwavering contentment.

Internal happiness is different from external happiness. Internal happiness is ETERNAL. External happiness comes and goes with time, people, events, and circumstances. And thank God for that. Why? Because when I relied on external circumstances to determine my happiness, my life experience resembled a roller coaster ride - up-down, up-down, up-down! And to make it worse, the frickin ride never ended! I'd still be onboard today if I hadn't become sick and tired of feeling sick and tired. It wasn't until I couldn't bear the feeling any longer that I went in search of a new way to live. However, like most thrill rides this new ride came with a WARNING:

"When you choose to give up roller coasters, you MUST give up habitual ways of thinking and behaving. If not, you might as well stay on the coaster."

Okay, I'm willing to try anything to feel better, I thought to myself. "What will I have to give up first?" I meekly asked.

"You MUST give up the need to control anyone and anything."

"Why?"

"Trying to Control Anyone or Anything Leads to Unhappiness!"

"Yikes!" "Who knew?"

"My name is Rebecca L. Norrington and I'm a recovering Controloholic!"

Admittedly, I've spent decades determined to control everything and everybody that crossed my path. Controlling external events is like trying to control a tsunami! Mission Impossible! Further, why did I have the need to control anything and everyone outside of me? The answer was simple: I didn't know I had other options. I didn't know I could choose another type of behavior. I was only mirroring what I'd witnessed as a child. I actually thought that if I loved someone, it was my responsibility to tell him or her what to do. My mother and father always told me what to do and what to think. I was ignorantly keeping that behavior alive! More importantly, I had no clue that attempting to control anyone or anything other than myself would subtract from my happiness. I was constantly shooting myself in the foot. Besides, I knew what was right. I especially knew what was right for everybody else. Yes, I spent a lot of time thinking and voicing my strong opinion about what others should do.

"Listen to me; I know what's best for you! Listen to meee!"

It's funny, though, because with all of the controlling skills I'd mastered, I was miserable. For an example, when my "orders" weren't followed and my suggestions were ignored, my "subjects" had major problems. Yes, they all had consequences to pay. The consequences ranged from high-pitched tongue-lashings to total exile. That'll show them, try living without me!

"Trying to Control Anything or Anyone Leads to Unhappiness" rln

For me, giving up control didn't happen overnight. I went out kicking and screaming. In fact, after years of detox I'm still in rehab on an out-patient basis. Admittedly, there are times when I feel a need for a cheap thrill ride; however, it's not the same. I actually feel uncomfortable wearing my old controlling hat. After years of practice and patience, the old roller coaster has lost its draw and sparkle.

What I can say is this - I've never been happier!

About Rebecca L. Norrington
Rebecca L. Norrington is first and foremost a student of the Universe and IT's Laws. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology along with decades of education and training on topics from Spirituality to Human Behavior. Her professional journey includes several vocations. Rebecca is a Radio Host, Author, Speaker, Spiritual Teacher and Fitness Instructor. In August 2011, Rebecca premiered "RealitySpirituality". RS is an online radio show that shares revolutionary strategies that enable YOU to maintain and sustain a personal vibration of internal PEACE, regardless of your EXTERNAL circumstances! Rebecca LOVES focusing on everyday events and how these events align with our personal vibration. Rebecca's audience has rapidly grown and currently she reaches thousands of listeners around the globe. (Rebecca has a clear vision of hosting "RealitySpirituality" on the OWN network)

RealitySpirituality can be heard LIVE every Sunday at 7:00 am PST. For more information check out: www.rebeccanorrington.com &
www.realityspirituality.com

HTML tags: Universal Laws, Vibration,
Sprituality, Happiness, Love

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