The happiness we’ve come to know, expect and accept is lacking depth, sustainability and authenticity. The elusive pursuit of this happiness distracts us from the true, foundational happiness that can only be rooted deep within our true selves. True happiness is easily accessed by seeking inspiration instead of grasping at what we hope will give us a quick happiness fix. Here are five reasons the happiness we’ve come to know, expect and accept can prevent you from experience true inspired happiness.

1. HAPPINESS CAN BE AN ESCAPE FROM REALITY.

What’s wrong with that? A lot, actually. An escape is temporary and reality is meant to be enjoyed not avoided. It’s equivalent to avoiding life, which can be appealing when times are tough, but the goal isn’t to avoid reality, it’s to enjoy reality at its best.

2. HAPPINESS DOESN’T CHANGE ENERGY.

When we’re feeling low or stagnant in energy, we might be happy when we plop down to eat a bowl of ice cream while watching television or go on vacation. But what happens after we put that spoon down or come back from vacation?

We come back to the exact same feelings and environment. We’re not more fulfilled or recharged. It’s as if we never ate the ice cream or never went on vacation. Because we simply experienced temporary energy while we were experiencing temporary happiness.

What we really needed was to eat ice cream with inspired intention, savoring each bite, completely present and letting it’s flavor fill our bodies with life (imagine being at a cafe in Italy eating gelato, not sure if you’ll ever experience this insanely delicious ice cream ever again).

If instead of going on vacation to get away or relax, we instead went somewhere we get to indulge in inspiring activities, which could be anything: art, hiking, learning, cooking, motorcycle driving, or even a week off to work on that craft project you’re worried you’ll never get to otherwise). What inspires you energizes you. You feel alive.

Use inspiration to feel more alive, fulfilled and connected to your world.

3. “I’LL BE HAPPY WHEN’S” HOLD OUR HAPPINESS HOSTAGE.

Happiness is often rooted in the unknown future. I’ll be happy when I get that job, meet that person, lose weight, don’t work so much, have more money, etc.

We don’t have control over the timing and delivery of these factors, hinging our happiness on hope.

Every time we practice and “I’ll be happy when,” either in our heads or out loud, we are giving away our personal empowerment over our internal experience. We create an excuse that something is better outside of ourselves, sharply denying what we have within ourselves and the choices we have freely at our disposal.

Unlike happiness, inspiration is rooted within our true selves and within our influence and control.

4. HAPPINESS OFTEN ENDS IN DISAPPOINTMENT.

After that bowl of ice cream or vacation is over, we are disappointed. We mourn it’s end, either for a moment or a week.

But how else are we supposed to feel after we’ve passed those moments that made us happy? Fulfilled!

Inspired happiness leaves us feeling fulfilled, recharged and accomplished. Whether you’ve trained for months for your first marathon or baked that amazing recipe you’ve been craving to make, when you cross that finish line or share your beautiful baked creation with others, you feel fulfilled, recharged, and essentially AMAZING.

5. WE JUDGE OURSELVES WHEN WE’RE NOT HAPPY.

We worry about happiness, and then we judge ourselves. Thoughts like, “What’s wrong with me?” start to creep in, and before you know it, we’ve determined we’re broken or our life is broken and we’re different than those other people who seem to just “choose happiness.”

When we are on the roller coaster of experiencing temporary happiness, our emotions and self-judgment are distracting us from judgment-free joy. Perhaps the only prescription you need is a daily dose of inspiration!

Want more inspiration? Happiness is Overrated - Live the Inspired Life is your friend along your journey to living your happiest life through inspiration!