Today's Thought - August

[bluidkiti]

August 17

It is not easy to find happiness in ourselves, and it is not possible to find it elsewhere.

~Agnes Repplier

There is a curious phenomenon found among many adult children called “switching addictions.” It may not truly be addictions one is talking about, but the dynamics are similar; we become obsessively involved in one activity as an excuse, and an escape, from dealing with another.

Rather than deal with many core issues such as emotional dependency, shame, or fear of abandonment, adult children may seek freedom from outside activities. We may become compulsive exercisers or seek happiness by spending, eating, or collecting romantic involvements like charms on a bracelet.

Happiness cannot be found outside ourselves. If the inner core of control and satisfaction is not there, no matter what else we may surround ourselves with (or deny ourselves), we remain barren.

I accept responsibility for my own happiness, for the obstacles I put in my own way, and for the happiness substitutes that I use to distract myself.

Today's reading is from the book Days of Healing, Days of Joy, Daily Meditations for Adult Children