Andrew Murphy | You are confined only by the walls you build yourself.

“What is happiness?” I always asked this question to myself but never got an answer until the day I set myself free. I’ll take you back to the day when I removed all the boundaries that I had created around me for all these years. The day when I gave myself a chance to explore me and understand what it truly means to be happy.

I was going through a rough patch in my life and nothing seemed right to me. One day while working in the office, a thought came to my mind – “Solo Trip.” I never travelled solo before that so I was a bit scared but then, what could have been better than this to truly understand yourself and find the happiness that I have been looking for. I chose a remote location, far away from the chaos of life. The moment I reached that place, I felt alone, I felt miserable, I even thought of going back, but that was surely not an option. I plugged in my earphones, put my journal in the bag, and got out of the cottage I was staying in.

As I started walking without having any destination, I started feeling happy. I walked for a few miles and stopped by a beautiful sight. There was a lake which was lit by thousands of stars in the dark. I sat by the lake and took out my journal and started writing something I had been planning for a long time. The happiness that I felt while writing all those words was something I never felt before. I felt light, all the burden that I had been carrying on my shoulder all those years seemed to be gone. And at that moment, an intense and overwhelming sensation came to me. You can call it an epiphany or spiritual awakening because at that moment I realized that “Happiness can only be felt when you set yourself free.”

Although that feeling lasted for a few hours, it opened up another mindset for me. I learnt how little things can make you happy and feel good about yourself. All you need to do is open your heart and accept things the way they are. Before that, I only used to see life with a negative perspective, but being there, I learnt that there’s a positive side to even the worst situation; all you have to do is widen your perception and look for the good things. Life is too short to hold on to the past, I learnt that it’s okay to move on and give other people a chance.

Earlier, I was a person who wanted to have control over everything that was happening and about to happen in my life. But now I don’t try to control everything that is happening around me, now I enjoy the beauty of uncertainty, I welcome everything that comes my way. Before taking that solo trip, I was busy doing what I believed to be pursuing happiness, but I was actually missing it. Now I slow down to appreciate the small things around me and feel happy.

I smell the air, feel the wind around me, watch the sunset, and look at the endless sea. I have now also learnt to pay gratitude to all the little things happening in my life because it is another door opener for happiness. The definition of happiness is different for everyone, but what I have explored so far is:

Happiness is when you let your thoughts run free…
Happiness is staying in the present…
Happiness is exploring yourself each day…
Happiness is a way to see your life…
Happiness is doing everything that you enjoy…
Happiness is having something that keeps you going…
Happiness is being in a serene and calm place…
Happiness is experiencing uncertainty…
Happiness is leaving space for little moments of joy…

Happiness can’t be felt until you slow down to look at it, feel it, taste it, and smell it. Life is too short to feel unhappy about everything around you. Enjoy what you have got, set yourself free, stop creating boundaries around you, let the happiness seep into your life!

Authored by Adam Jackson

“Adam Jackson is associated with Assignment Prime as an academic writer from last 3 years. He takes immense pleasure in helping students with their assignment writing tasks so that they can get excellent grades. Whenever he gets time from work, he conducts talk shows for students to fill motivation and inspiration in their life. He spends most of his weekends reading self-help books.”

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“Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.”– Roger Caras

Truly quoted! To experience the essence of wholeness in your life, there is nothing and no one better to replace a dog. I have experienced this in my own life, and here I am going to share with you how my dog has added the element of wholeness in my life.

I still remember the first time I saw this little furry ball of happiness! The innocence in her eyes, the cute little smile, the pink squishy paws, and that furry tail wagging constantly – I just couldn’t resist myself and cuddled her up in my arms. It was all so magical that I decided to name her Pixie.

The time when she came in my life, nothing was at peace. My life was all chaotic, with not a single shoulder to lean on. But, as we grew together, I learned that maybe I don’t need a shoulder to lean on or a hand to hold on to as long as I have her paws to hold and her wagging tail to welcome me every single day of my life.

Apart from this, here is a list of why she is the perfect buddy (in fact more than that) for me, as she is not only my pooch, but also:

My Go-to Buddy

“Some things just fill your heart without trying.”

Feeling low? Have happy news? Want some alone time? Want to cry without being judged? She is my go-to buddy! I really don’t need to ping her and ask whether she is free to be my venting partner or not. I know she is always there for me, through my tough times and happy ones as well.

My Secret Keeper

Remember:
“No one on earth will love you more, be more patient with your moods, or keep your secrets better than your dog.”

When I share my ups and downs in life with my dog, I am sure about one thing that her stomach won’t hurt while keeping it as a secret. You see that’s the beauty of having four paws as your secret keeper; they keep them safe, closed in their heart.

My Mood Uplifter

“My sunshine doesn’t come from the skies. It comes from the love that is in my dog’s eyes.”

Researches have shown that by merely patting a dog can help you reduce your stress hormones and uplift your mood. I totally agree with these findings! By looking at a dog’s innocent eyes, your heart melts down in a fraction of seconds, all the problems fade out, and the euphoria hits you!

My Protector

“A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.”- Josh Billings

And that is what makes them the best protector! She always keeps a track of me to protect me no matter what. The cherry on the cake is that she doesn’t just protect me physically, but mentally as well.

My Long Drive Partner

“Dogs do speak, but only to those who know how to listen.” – Orhan Pamuk

Our favourite thing to do when we are free is going on long drives! What makes it our favourite to-do thing, are the long conversations, our favourite songs (current favourite – Happier) and bags full of food, which uplift our mood, make both of us feel closer and better at heart.

My Patient Listener

“A friend is someone who helps you up when you’re down, and if they can’t, they lay down beside you and listen.”

I am truly blessed to have such a friend in my life! She really does hear me out with her ears up and all the patience, without showing any signs of boredom. Oh! And when her head tilts, I believe she understands me pretty well.

My Personal Therapist

“The best therapist has fur and four legs.”

And I am lucky enough to be blessed with one such personal therapist. Well, no kidding! Even researches have shown that dogs do wonders as therapists. It seems so obvious that they can make your heart feel light with just a wag of a tail! No credentials or note-taking skills needed.

My Happy Greeter

“There are no bad days if you come home to a dog’s love.”

This is the icing on the cake! Imagine coming home after a stressful day at work and seeing a wagging tail, drooling tongue, happy paws all ready to welcome you! Nothing could be better than this, trust me! Plus, this gives me a sense of being important and valued in someone’s life, which in turn builds my self-esteem.

Well, that is what makes a wagging tail the god of frolic!

So, if you have been looking for a hand to hold on to, with whom you can go on long drives with, or maybe just lay down by the beachside and gaze the stars, with music playing in the background or to heal you and be there in your difficult times, you can find all of these through a friend that has a wagging tail, squishy paws, and bright eyes too.

The best part is that dogs are good listeners and highly non-judgemental by nature. So, feel free to share your secrets with this buddy of yours! They are great secret keepers and the best companions for life, as quoted by Colette –

“Our perfect companions never have fewer than four feet” (and a happy wagging tail).

Authored by Marie Claire

“Marie Claire is currently completing her Ph.D. degree in positive psychology from a renowned university in the UK. She has been associated with Assignment Desk as a certified assignment help provider for 8 years now. In her leisure time, she likes to go to her favourite beach with her pet and read a novel.”

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It is not easy to understand a creative person. We see the world through different eyes and are often perceived as over sensitive, dramatic, dreamers, or just people who don’t fit in. When in the midst of people who consider themselves pragmatic or realistic, we often feel misunderstood or unaccepted.

It is not the fault of those who are considered “conventional.” They would like to understand us but we are different and our vision is, for them, difficult to grasp. We understand that this difference, this creativity is a gift from God. Why would we want to change? Why would we even try to fit in?

There are times when feeling a part of the group might be nice. But we are not willing to lose our true selves so that we may become a part of the pack. Where do we go when we feel that no one truly knows us and we want to be understood?

I go to my Bible and I open it to Psalm 139.

The Bible ~ The Book With All the Answers

Sacred Scripture offers us so much love. With its multitude of parables, verses and life instructions, it is a manual of love and wisdom. So often, we come upon a verse that we feel was written just for us. It inspires, teaches and reaches the depths of our souls. For me, one of these is Psalm 139.

Why Psalm 139?

The Psalm begins by confirming God`s understanding of us:

O Lord, You have searched me and known me.

You know when I sit down and when I rise up;

You understand my thought from afar………

And are intimately acquainted with all my ways.

Even before there is a word on my tongue,

Behold, O Lord, You know it all.

It tells us that we are never alone:

Where can I go from Your Spirit?

Or where can I flee from Your presence?

If I ascend to heaven, You are there;

If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there.

If I take the wings of the dawn,

If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea,

Even there Your hand will lead me,

And Your right hand will lay hold of me……

It assures us that we are who we were created to be:

For You formed my inward parts;

You wove me in my mother’s womb.

I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

It reflects our Love for God:

How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!

How vast is the sum of them!

If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand.

When I awake, I am still with You……

Search me, O God, and know my heart;

Try me and know my anxious thoughts;

And see if there be any hurtful way in me,

And lead me in the everlasting way.

We are Never Alone

So, when you are feeling misunderstood or alone, listen to God. Go to His word and there you will find His presence. For you, it may not be Psalm 139 but this book which includes over 31,000 verses and over 800,000 words surely has encouraging messages for you.

Authored by Marilyn Nash of Holyart.com

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“Walking on the streets of this city,

I have realized how far I have come,

How I have become a part of this city…

The city that once had no room for me…

When I came here, I was an impulsive kid,

But this city taught me how to be a responsible adult…

I had no friends then,

But now every corner seems familiar…

The comfort that I had been seeking from long,

I found it on its stranger streets…

I didn’t know many things about myself,

Until I came here…

This city, yes this very own city,

Helped me discover myself,

And gave me wings to fly…”

These were a few lines that I wrote a few days back when I realized what an eternal bond I have formed with the city – London. When I was moving here from New Jersey, I had a knot in my stomach. I felt as if I am leaving everything behind. But now that I am here, I realize that it was the best decision that I ever took.

When I first stepped in here, everything seemed very strange. The streets I was walking on seem so unfamiliar, I had no idea where they were leading me. All those strange faces that I used to see every day, intimidated me. I could see in their eyes that I don’t belong to this city.

Even the sun didn’t give me the warmth that could soothe my heart and make me feel that everything is okay. The chilly winds used to pierce my heart and make me feel that I have no one to hold in this city, no one to call of my own. But that’s when I realized that the cocoon I was staying in is no longer around me.

The reason that the streets felt so unfamiliar is that I walked on them silently without making any conversation. The sun didn’t give me that warmth because I didn’t welcome it with open arms. This first realization changed a lot of things for me. I started stepping out of my comfort zone and challenging myself every now and then (It was something that I was not made for).

Now I go out when the sun rises and welcome it wholeheartedly. When the sun rays touch my face, I feel the comfort that I was looking for from a very long time. The cool breeze when passes by me every time, I feel as if I have come across a long-lost friend who used to hold a really important place in my heart. I am now not afraid of being lost when I walk alone on the streets because I know that they will lead me to the right destination. I am not scared of people anymore because I see a friendly face no matter where I go.

Every corner of the city makes me feel at home, so I sit there, open my journal, and start scribbling. The solace that I feel these days was never before or I would say I didn’t try to find it until I moved here. Before I came here, I didn’t know I could give that kind of love to someone, a kind of love that is so pious, so sacred, so eternal. Yes, I have fallen in love with this city.

You guys can call me a freak, but the serenity that I feel these days was never around. I have now become a calm and composed person who knows how to deal with every challenge that comes my way. The voice that I buried somewhere deep down has now started to speak for itself. I am no longer that person who was scared of hurting people. If anyone tries to intimidate me, I make sure I show them the best that I have got.

I am no longer that person who used to confine himself to one place so that people don’t get a chance to judge me. Hey, but now, come and judge me how much you want. You can’t define me because it takes a lot of guts to dive deep into the river of emotions that flows inside every single person.

So, everyone out there, no matter in which corner of the world you are sitting, fall in love with your city, start making an untouched and unsaid relationship with the unfamiliar streets and the strangers walking on it. You will surely discover a lot many things about yourself that may leave you surprised. You will get wings to fly and the courage to make your every dream come true. Stay blessed!

Authored by John Noels

“John Noels can be found working on assignment writing tasks of students. He is currently associated with Instant Assignment Help. He is a person who loves to explore himself by doing a lot of adventures. He is also a keen reader and has around hundreds of books in this library.”

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