Transformation – which is simply the act of changing one’s point of identification – requires nothing more than a shift in perspective.
For example, you can hold the perspective that the forming of a cocoon brings about the death of a caterpillar. But once you witness the emergence of the butterfly, your perspective of the cocoon will be forever transformed. A shift in perspective was all that was required for a new understanding to bloom.
Spiritual transformation occurs when you transcend your narrow human perspective and begin to know yourself as a boundless, divine being. It’s when we make the transition from seeing ourselves as limited and unworthy, and accept that we are powerful creators.
Saying yes to the spiritual transformation that is in front of you is essential if you are to be happy.
The Perspective of the Masses
Think for a moment about the perspective that most of the world holds about happiness. We’re trained to view happiness – and fulfillment, and success – as a function of cause and effect. For example, you land a high-paying job (cause) and you feel happy because you accomplished an important goal (effect).
But when we view happiness as a consequence of external accomplishments, we set ourselves upon a continuous treadmill of searching. We tell ourselves, “I’ll be happy once I _____________,” and then life becomes a series of filling in a never-ending series of blanks:
How many of these statements ring true?
“I’ll be happy when…
- …I make a six-figure salary.”
- …I meet the person I want to marry.”
- …we finally pay off the house.”
- …the kids are away at college.”
- …I have what I need for a secure retirement.”
When we look outside ourselves for happiness or fulfillment, we’re coming from a mindset of lack. And as a result, nothing can ever fill that void. The new lover might initially do the trick, but as the relationship progresses, suddenly he’s just not enough. Or the success we thought for sure would finally prove our value ends up occurring like a “Now what??” phenomenon. Even big goals that we’ve held for a long time often don’t bring us the fulfillment we thought they would.
Achieving a state of ongoing happiness requires a spiritual transformation in the way we define the word. We have to embrace that it doesn’t come from the attainment of external positions or possessions. It is a state of being that can only be generated from within.
To make this leap, you simply need to affirm the following 3 statements of fact:
Affirmation #1: You will never get everything that you believe will make you happy.
So does this mean you should stop striving for great things? Absolutely not! In fact, one of the greatest joys in life comes from wanting something and then bringing ourselves into alignment with what we desire. But it’s important to realize that because we are ever-evolving beings, there will always be more to want.
Because your perspective is always changing, the moment you check one item off your list, another desire will naturally appear. There is much joy to be had in the process of creating; just realize that creation is a never-ending journey.
Affirmation #2: Happiness is all about perspective.
Generating happiness (or any other desired feeling) from within is all about deliberately reaching for a higher perspective. It’s having faith in infinity supply even when your bank account is low. It’s choosing to be in a state of love and acceptance, even when others aren’t accepting of you. It really is about seeing the proverbial glass as half full rather than half empty, and viewing life through a lens of appreciation.
Reality will conform to match your expectations, and the perspective you hold is key. Acknowledge that how you tune your perspective equals the reality you experience. Practice the perspective that everything is working out for you. The knowledge that you have the ability to make your own weather and generate your own good mood produces more than happiness. It is your key to empowerment, and to creating your life exactly as you want it to be.
Affirmation #3: Happiness is an inside job.
And not only is it an inside job; it’s a moment-by-moment achievement.
The “I’ll be happy when…..” paradigm leads us to believe that happiness is some exalted state that we’ll experience once we fulfill all our goals and reach the mountain top. But as we’ve seen, it isn’t the by-product of reaching a goal but a choice we make in each new moment.
Make the choice to look for the best in yourself and others. Focus on things that bring you joy, and give little to no attention to anything that causes you pain. Decide that your happiness is independent of any changing circumstance, and tend to your inner state of being regularly.
You don’t need to wait to feel happiness until you get the promotion or meet the right man. In truth, life works in the reverse. Everything that you believe will make you happy is easily magnetized to you once you are in a happy-feeling place. Cultivate and bring in the feelings of happiness and joy. This is the spiritual transformation that is in front of you. Say yes.
Christy Whitman is an energy healer, celebrity coach, and the New York Times bestselling author of The Art of Having It All: A Woman’s Guide to Unlimited Abundance. To understand how to more deliberately co-create the life you desire, visit www.watchyourwords.com and gain access to a free 30-day training.
