Happiness: Overrated or Not

I would have used a happy picture of myself here,
but this lil princess is just so pretty, I couldn't resist.

I remember vividly that day in August 2015, (the 28th to be precise), when I wrote: "today, I am truly happy", and saved it as a draft on this blog.

I was in my comfy corner at Mediacraft Associates Limited (oh how I LOVED that place: its people, the indomie and eggs guy, the fried yam/potatoes/dodo woman, Maryland Suya guys, my working hours, the Fleishman Hillard pressure, but most especially the awe-mazing people there :) ), totally at peace with myself and giddy with joy. 

I couldn't explain it, or maybe I could: I'd just returned from my first official trip ever, where I worked with a team of highly intelligent and skilled people to help Nigerian Breweries (Nigeria's pioneer and largest brewing company) break the Guinness World Records of largest poster in the world (Read here and here.... a media company in India, has, however, now broken the record; bah hey, we broke someone else's..:) ). 

I was really happy and proud of myself, I had money in hand and at the bank ...hehe (well, I was still saving to see the world at the time and I wasn't the 'responsible daughter' yet ). I was in love with love and life, my sisters and parents were hale and hearty, I was getting ready for my best friend's wedding, everything was good between God and me, I'd achieved everything I'd set out to achieve that year, and it was just August. I was truly happy and at peace. That day, I wanted to put in words how I felt, but the euphoria didn't let me articulate how I felt, so I tucked that feeling away in a safe place in my heart.

Today, I don't feel anything like what I felt on that day...; wait, let me think..................errrmmm, nah! I don't feel anything like it at all. I just want to watch a movie (romcom preferably, those types that make you laugh and cry and laugh and cry and laugh...you get it, right?) in my room, on my bed, with my ears plugged and the curtains pulled shut, and stuff my face with creamy sugary things, that's all. See, it's so easy and affordable to make me happy right now.

I digress. 

So, I’m a huge fan of happiness (and love :) ), mostly because I don't think it's far-fetched. Money can definitely buy happiness, please don't get me started as to how, when, where, what... 

Anyway, here's where the misunderstanding lies: most people seek 'happiness', but what they really seek is Joy: the state of being at peace with yourself. HuffingtonPost puts it succinctly, "joy incorporates both the agony and the ecstasy of existence. It requires that you make a vow to yourself, to live your life for better and for worse, for richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health, til death do you part". I couldn't agree more. This means no matter what comes, good or bad; no matter how you feel, happy or sad; you resolve to stay true to yourself, content and grounded.

Now, joy doesn't mean 'unfazed' or that you suddenly become a robot and stop feeling

...there I am, finally!

 feelings. I have just told you how I feel right now and all the things I legit feel like doing, throw in a return ticket to a serene island and I'm gone..., but I am unable to do all those things, I'm not where I want to be (you have no idea), I don't have everything I need, I just got some really devastating news, and a friend of mine recently went to heaven; but, I can objectively say I'm at peace. These times too shall pass.

What is the opposite of joy?


No, it isn't sadness. Sadness is the opposite of happiness. Google says 'misery' is the opposite of joy. I think they used 'misery' for lack of a more condensed word. The cure to misery is peace, not worry or babalawo. And it is practically impossible to attain that peaceful state without the Prince of Peace, FYI. Ermmmm, if you need Him, I can tell you how to meet Him. *pause*. 
Don't say Priscilla did nothing for Y'all :)

The very essence of life incorporates both sad and happy moments; it is the blend of these experiences that makes the smoothie of our lives rich and memorable. A lot of people today pursue happiness, unfortunately, happiness is elusive. 

My name is Priscilla Adeboye and today, in spite of how I feel, I'm grateful. I'm grateful for e.v.e.r.y.t.i.m.e I have been ecstatically happy and heartbrokenly sad... this smoothie's gonna be too lit! 

Unity and faith, peace and progress.

Xx 

Photo credit: photo.elsoar; clickinmoms; Legend Photos