To see a World in a Grain of Sand
And a Heaven in a Wild Flower
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand
And Eternity in an hour ~William Blake
There’s no better feeling is there?
True Happiness.
It makes you feel enthused, energized, alive!
If only it could last forever. A perpetual state of bliss. Of utter joy.
Okay, so reality check needed. Maybe forever happiness isn’t possible. There certainly seems to be too many things to knock your happiness onto the floor in today’s hyper-busy, hyper-competitive world…
Bad news.
Bills mounting up.
Someone else’s bad mood.
So when the world is forever changing, how the heck can you hang on to happiness? How can you feel your in control of anything, let alone something so seemingly fleeting?
Is it just a case of hitting the lucky odds, of everything falling perfectly into place?
Well, I’m not prepared to wait for those kind of odds ever coming off. And I don’t think you are either.
But the incredible news is you don’t need to wait. There is a simple way to give yourself an instant happiness boost. No matter where you are, who you’re with or what you’re doing.
I know, how come no one told you before? How come you’ve been chasing happiness seemingly forever without this vital piece of information?
Honest answer – no one told you because most people don’t know. They missed the class first time round, just like you and I.
That’s a genuine shame for the world.
You see, the answer is right there in front of you. In the palm of your hand. It always was.
Unfurl your hand and look at the palm of your hand.
What do you see? Some flesh? A few lines? Maybe a few more than you want maybe?
But wait, there’s more.
Amongst those hairline indents there’s conclusive proof that you’re lovable. In between the mini wrinkles there’s an irrefutable testimony that you can accomplish what you set out to achieve. That you’re smart, persistent and adventurous.
And on top of all that there’s irrevocable evidence that you’re making a difference in the world.
All the ingredients of happiness are in the palm of your hand. @lauraJTong (Click To Tweet!)
Never doubt that you’re lovable.
Your palms know the truth. Remember they were right there:
All those times as a kid, holding your mom’s hand. Or your dad’s. That warm, soft, safe hand folded around yours. Letting you know you were loved, that you were precious, too precious to let go of. Those happy times when you held hands walking together, chatting, laughing, sharing your stories from the day.
All the times growing up that your friends grabbed your hand, determined to run, play or skip through the afternoon with you. So easy, unselfconscious and natural. Those happy days playing, sharing, giggling.
Your first love, your second, third or tenth love holding your hand, fingers entwined as strongly as your hearts. Those joyous days and years of being singled out as the one worthy of all their love.
And those days too when you were sad, when you were troubled. And when you cried. When friends or your family held your hand to say ‘I’m right here. I love you’.
You probably can’t remember all of those times but each one has left a happiness imprint on you. A simple declaration of love etched right in the palm of your hand. A permanent reminder of just how lovable you are.
When you feel alone, when a friend has rowed with you, or when love has wobbled or even walked out, rub your fingers over your palm and know that Love has held your hand before and it will again.
Never doubt how capable you are.
Your palms hold proof of just how capable you really are. Remember they’ve seen it first hand:
Those initial days of gripping your first bicycle’s handlebars, weaving, wobbling and falling. Then that happiness rush of cycling a meter unaided, a half block. And then the confidence to go at speed, to whizz, to freewheel, even to try a trick or two. Oh that delicious freedom, pedaling to a friend’s house, to the store, just for the heck of it – oh boy, such happy, happy days.
That day you held your graduation certificate. Or your hard-won driving license. After all the intense concentration, the effort and study, you held it in your hand – authenticated proof that you can master something if you try. So happy that you’ve accomplished what you set out to achieve. Certain for that moment that you’re smart and persistent enough just as you are. Oh such happy times.
All the times you’ve shaken hands on a deal, a new job, an exciting venture or a promise – sealing the deal with someone who has recognized your capabilities, your skills and absolutely wants you on their team. Those happy times of anticipating good things, heck they feel so great, don’t they?
When you try but don’t succeed, when you feel like a failure, and especially when you doubt if it’s even worth you trying, clap your palms together and know you’re applauding your capability. You’ve held success in your hand before and you can again.
Never doubt the difference you make.
Your palms know the amazing contribution you make. Remember they’ve felt it:
All those times you’ve held a troubled friend, giving them loving support and reassuring comfort. You absolutely made their day and made it possible for them to keep on keeping on. Heck, you managed to bring them happiness in the midst of their despair.
All those times you held your child, kept them safe, let them know exactly how special they were. You actually created life, oh boy, and you’ve nurtured it amazingly every day since. Oh so, so many happy memories you’ve created for them.
Every day that you’ve held your pet, that soft bundle, trusting you, loving you. Do you know what they see when you put your hand down to pet them? A loving, kind hand that feels so good to be held by. You’ve brought pure happiness into their little life, giving them certainty that they’ll always be loved, always be safe.
Every time held your hand out to someone when they fell. Those bags you carried to help out, the person you helped across the street by holding up your hand to the traffic, the injured wildlife you moved to the side of the road to give it a fighting chance.
You might never fully appreciate just how much happiness you brought on each of those occasions. But you went out of your way to say ‘Hey, you matter. Let me help you’. That’s enough to make another’s heart burst with joy. That’s an incredibly happy memory for them to call upon.
If you ever feel insignificant, wonder what you’re contributing to the world or doubt your worth, hold your own hand and know that you’ve spread happiness at every opportunity. You’ve made a difference before and you’ll go on to do it over and over and over – that’s who you are.
Happiness truly is in the palm of your hand.
Life can get horribly complicated.
It throws some really mean curveballs sometimes.
Unexpected events can leave you feeling hopeless and lost.
Bad news can leave you so down you wonder how you’ll ever get back up.
Harsh words can really cut, leaving you hurting for the longest time.
But underneath all the pain, your happiness is still intact.
Remember it’s etched in the palm of your hand.
All those happy times that prove the sun comes after the rain are imprinted on your palm.
All of your happy successes that say you can are engraved on your palm.
And all the happiness you’ve spread that shout how much you matter, well they’re inscribed right there on your palm too.
To see Hope in the midst of rain,
And find Joy in your own Power
Hold Happiness in the palm of your hand
And Positive Memories in every hour
Hold happiness in the palm of your hand. Forever.
Laura Tong, a former health professional, is on a mission to help you become the most positive, happy version of yourself. Grab her free cheat sheet: 5 Guilt Free Ways To Say No Without Offending Anyone (Even If You Hate Conflict). Laura also hosts the Re-write The Rules In Your Life interview series where she shares awesome happiness and positivity tips from experts around the world. Click here to listen free to the latest episodes. Along with her partner, Mark, Laura founded PositivelyHappy.Me to help you live, love and laugh like a kid again, simplify your life and find your smile in hard times.
Image courtesy of Myriams-photos.
