Short-term Happiness: A Conscious Choice |
Diary of a Runpreneur

Welcome back, dear readers, to day 1,579 of my running journey – the Diary of a Runpreneur. Today, I want to delve into a topic that's quite close to my heart: happiness. I'm not talking about long-term happiness, but short-term or immediate happiness. And the fundamental question I want to explore is, "Is happiness really a choice?"

Embracing the Elements

As I lace up my running shoes today, it's impossible to ignore the torrential rain coming down in typical autumn weather here in the UK. It's a stark contrast to the calm, serene conditions we often dream of. But despite the downpour, I find myself unusually content, even happy. It got me thinking about how we sometimes need to make a conscious decision to embrace happiness, regardless of the external circumstances.

A Lesson from a Mentor

The inspiration for today's topic came from a person I deeply respect in the business world. While I may share his name in a future post, what’s essential today is the message he conveyed in a video shared with a group of entrepreneurs. His words resonated with me as he likened the constancy of a massive oak tree to the ever-changing circumstances in our lives. The tree withstands wind, rain, sun, and snow, all while remaining unperturbed by the frantic pace of the people passing by.

This visual struck a chord with me. He argued that short-term happiness is a choice we can make at any given moment. This philosophy is something I decided to test out for myself.

Putting the Theory to Test

Today, aside from my run in the rain, I also had to attend a crucial meeting in London with one of our key property stock providers. The stakes were high, and it could have gone either disastrously wrong or exceptionally well. Normally, such situations would fill me with anxiety and stress, making my mood notably tense. However, after reflecting on the video, I decided to adopt a different approach.

I chose to enter the meeting with a positive attitude, forcing myself to be happy and wear a smile. Guess what? It worked magnificently! The meeting, which had the potential to be nerve-wracking, turned out to be productive and filled with possibilities for exciting future ventures.

The Profound Impact of Choice

The outcome of the meeting convinced me that there’s immense power in choosing happiness, even in less-than-ideal conditions. By making a conscious effort to be positive, I not only improved my mood but also influenced those around me, resulting in a far more pleasant and productive interaction.

During my run, despite the initial dread of facing the elements, I found happiness in the unfamiliar challenge, and it turned into an enjoyable experience. It was a stark reminder that sometimes the difference between a dreadful day and a delightful one is merely the choice to be happy.

Final Thoughts

The takeaway from today’s run and business meeting is clear: short-term happiness is often within our control. Yes, it might require a bit of play-acting or conditioning at first, but its effects are profoundly positive. For now, I plan to implement this approach more frequently in my life. It’s an experiment worth conducting, and I'm excited to see where it takes me.

So, the next time you find yourself in a challenging situation, try choosing happiness. Smile, adopt a positive attitude, and observe the changes it brings. You might find that the world responds to you in much the same way.

Thank you for joining me on this journey. As always, if you have any questions or comments, feel free to drop me a line – I respond to every single one. And if you believe in my mission of saving children's lives by run blogging the distance of a lap of the world, barefoot, please subscribe, share, like, and comment. The more people we reach, the more lives we can touch.

Stay positive, stay happy, and I'll see you again tomorrow.

Kevin Brittain