You Are Not Responsible for Anyone’s Happiness
Except one person.
Lately, happiness has been on my mind.
With emotions running high and seemingly everyone on edge, the antidote to distress has weighed heavily on my spirit.
If only everyone could be happy, surely the world would be a better place.
Of course, many will inevitably roll their eyes at the idea of universal happiness.
Some might say it is unrealistic to expect everyone to be in the same state of mind.
But say it was possible to achieve ubiquitous happiness.
Where would it start?
If you think universal happiness starts with elevating the minds of others, I’d ask you to reconsider.
Let me explain.
You Can’t Control Other People
If you believe that you can make others happy, then you are subscribing to the belief that you can control others.
You can’t.
You cannot make your mother happy. You cannot make your father happy. You cannot make your friends happy. And, perhaps controversially, I don’t believe you can make your children happy.
While you can do actions that may provide temporary satisfaction for your friends and family members, you cannot make others happy.
You are not responsible for the happiness of others.
I’d argue that anyone who tells you that you are responsible for their happiness is engaging in a form of emotional abuse.
Do you want to know a surefire way to sabotage your own happiness?
By trying to make others happy, you are almost certain to destroy any long-lasting and meaningful feelings of joy.
Why?
Because when you try to make others happy, you attempt to do the impossible.
It is simply not possible to control the mental well-being of another human. And when you attempt to do so, sacrificing your own well-being in the process, you sabotage your happiness.
You Can Control Yourself
The only person you can make happy is yourself.
Isn’t that liberating?
You have immense power within you to effect drastic changes in your mind, body, and spirit.
While chemical imbalances and other mental health struggles are valid and real, it is important to remember that you are responsible for your feelings, actions, and emotions.
If you so desire, you can choose to be happy.
Because you clicked on this article, I’m inclined to believe you want to make that choice.
Or better yet, you already have decided to take control of your happiness.
You are only responsible for your own happiness.
And you deserve it.