Have you ever plopped on to the couch at the end of a tough, busy day, eyes glazed over in complete mental/physical exhaustion, feeling like the Dementors of Azkaban (a la Harry Potter lore) have sucked all of the happiness and joy out of your body? It is ok to admit it, Amy and I certainly have had this experience!
During those times, I often wondered why, when so many good things were happening in my life -- prestigious job, awesome family, great friends, money in the bank, my health -- I just didn't feel content? In fact, I felt guilty that I didn't feel content. Sure, I had moments of pure, unadulterated happiness scattered throughout my life, but even when I felt relatively great, there was always an undercurrent of dissatisfaction about something, lurking in the shadows.
That is, until I met Amy, who helped me find my Inner Bliss.
During those times, I often wondered why, when so many good things were happening in my life -- prestigious job, awesome family, great friends, money in the bank, my health -- I just didn't feel content? In fact, I felt guilty that I didn't feel content. Sure, I had moments of pure, unadulterated happiness scattered throughout my life, but even when I felt relatively great, there was always an undercurrent of dissatisfaction about something, lurking in the shadows.
That is, until I met Amy, who helped me find my Inner Bliss.
Although she never phrased it to me this way, one of the most important things I learned from Amy was the difference between Outer Bliss and Inner Bliss. Outer Bliss is comprised of all the transient, momentary pleasures in one's life: a cold ice cream cone on a hot summer's day, closing a big deal at your job, the huge smile on your child's face on her birthday. Sure, you feel happy, but the happiness is often short-lived and it can evaporate as quickly as it materialized. It's called Outer Bliss because it is something in your external world that you rely upon to access that feeling of contentment -- it is happiness from the outside in.
Contrast that with Inner Bliss, which is the exact opposite. It is happiness that emanates from the inside out. It is the peace, joy, and contentment in your soul that results from knowing that you are living a life where your beliefs and values are clear and are lined up with your actions. I honestly thought I was living my life this way, but through working with Amy, came to realize that I was doing anything but. I was living to please an undefined 'someone else', to keep up with the Joneses, to be a martyr without a cause.
In truth, the road to finding my Inner Bliss wasn't always an easy one. Rather than facing some of the less flattering aspects of myself, it would have been much easier to have that ice cream cone....or the glass of red wine....or the massage...or a bit of retail therapy to make myself feel better. But, having been down the road less traveled, I wouldn't trade the journey for anything in the world. Because, when you take the time to learn how to access your Inner Bliss, you've got a well of inexhaustible positive energy that is genuine and doesn't rely upon anyone else or anything else to bring you happiness. It doesn't mean that Life is perfect or problem-free....not by a long stretch. What it does mean is that you have the opportunity and the skills to choose where you energy goes, what you believe and determine what impact those things will have on your happiness.
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