We sometimes determine that it’s impossible to experience happiness or relief in the midst of stressful circumstances as if it were a matter of physics.
“How can I possibly be happy for even a moment, when I have to deal with this stressful situation?”
The answer is you make a conscious choice to.
Before you shrug, a few points of clarification to ground this statement in reality:
This isn’t about denying the very real problems you must contend with, nor is it about forcing yourself to undergo some painfully awkward exercise of pretending to be happy.
It’s about adopting a pragmatic posture that recognizes that if you are going to have to spend your time and energy addressing the problems in front of you one way or another, you might as well resolve to also notice things that are worth feeling joyful about.
This doesn’t have to take any herculean effort on your part, it can be as simple as seeking things you might otherwise think you have to withhold during periods of high stress: watching a few minutes of your favorite show, chatting with someone whose company you really enjoy, or taking a walk in the park.
Doing these things will make you no less prepared to tackle the challenges life has presented you. If anything, they will reinvigorate you and help you move forward more effectively.
