Hapiness

Happiness is peace, but peace comes from wholeness, well-being, and the ability to be present in emptiness. The issue is that we are terrified of daring to touch our own abysses, that is why we constantly resort to stimuli such as cigarettes, food, alcohol or sex. We mistake pleasure for joy.  

Let's go deeper. The release of dopamine tells the brain when to expect something rewarding, modulates how pleasant it will be, and prompts us to seek out pleasurable sensations. This neurotransmitter communicates with the front of the brain and is important for many other functions, including behavior, emotions, and cognition. For one thing, dopamine motivates the brain to work for a reward. However, when we seek this stimulation excessively, we run the risk of becoming addicted, but also of our brain receptors being overwhelmed.  

When this happens, the brain responds by making less dopamine or by eliminating dopamine receptors. Something similar to lowering the volume of a speaker when the noise becomes too loud, but in the case of our excesses, nothing is enough anymore. However, it is common to wonder what generates the anxiety of continuing to search for sensations that are counterproductive to me? And the answer is in pleasure and in excess of it.

Reflecting on this topic led me to recall an excerpt from the book The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle. "Pleasure is always derived from something external to you, while joy comes from within." We tend to mistakenly confuse happiness with having more, with experiencing more, with trying more. But once you get more, are you really happy? How long does it last?  

Remember that you have the freedom to choose your life and stop allowing money or whatever to stop you. We have to decide for ourselves what is sufficient for our happiness. Humans tend to think things like: "when I am rich I will be happy", "when I am healthy ...", "when I achieve this ..."; but I'll share a secret with you. The future never comes.  

Let's decide for ourselves what is enough for our happiness! I invite you to reflect on the things that you value. You may find that what is most valuable is priceless. Happiness is in simple details like a smile, a tender moment or a sigh of relaxation.