3 Addictions That Destroy Happiness.

I have endlessly sought three states of mind believing that's where happiness lies.

1. A state of familiarity with our surroundings and relationships.

2. A state of certainty of how things are, who we and others are.

3. A state of continuity within our mental and physical abilities.
   
   I clung to these so desperately that I:

   - Stayed in unhealthy or harmful relationships/careers

   - Repeated harmful habits

   - Was afraid to take the risks that would lead to growth

   - Stopped learning and exploring
   
   Even though…

   - It’s the new way of doing things

   - Reprogramming stubborn and useless patterns

   - Living from an expanded perspective

   - Transforming old beliefs into understanding

   - Letting go of past hurts and regrets…

   
   ....that would make me happier, calmer, focused, loving, generous, courageous, friendlier, accepting, and flexible.
   
   So, over the last 18 years, I took two steps to begin breaking this clinging addiction to familiarity, certainty, and continuity.
   

   Seeing as clearly and continuously as possible the spaces between things like thoughts, breath, emotions, sensations, sensory input, and output.

   Becoming highly aware of the stress in endlessly seeking these states of mind and the relief in letting go of them and arriving automatically into spaciousness.
   
   After some practice of these two skills, these two shockingly ironic things happened.
   
   I experienced a very deep and dynamic truth that transforms the mind. The truth was seen clearly that it was my frightful fear of impermanence, attachment to familiarity, certainty, and continuity, and me clinging to permanence that creates unhappiness and stress. That it is not in the clinging but the letting go of expectations, self-centeredness, and habits that brings me happiness.
   

   I practice to see infinite spaces between all experiences that allow for infinite opportunities to find relief, happiness, creativity, forgiveness, compassion, and love in the very moment I am in.
   
   Now I am living a purposeful life. In this life, I can serve, and relinquish pride, greed, and anger rather than acquire them.
   
   And what could be more beautiful, peaceful, and joyous than that?