Welcome to Happiness Within Yourself, a series where LEC Intern Priya Devpura uncovers the luminous joy that persists within us, even on the darkest days. This series is an invitation to cultivate an unshakable inner happiness that empowers us to live fully.
We often reach for the phrase ‘the grass is greener on the other side’ to measure our own lives against others’, longing for what they have that we don’t. Yet, imagine if we flipped the script and used that phrase to spark a reflection on our current self versus the potential that lies within us. Particularly in those moments when the going gets tough, or when we feel weighed down by life’s burdens, this shift in perspective can empower us. It’s not about yearning for another’s lot in life but nurturing our growth and embracing the journey from where we are to where we have the power to be.
Have you ever felt like talking to someone about your problems won’t really do any good? Like it’s not going to make a difference? I get that; I’ve been in that dark place too. But trust me, I’ve seen the other side, and I can say with all my heart, indeed, the grass is greener on the other side.
Imagine you’re making a garden from scratch. You start with just this patch of bare earth. You drop in some seeds, water them, and then wait. At first, you don’t see anything happening. But you keep watering those seeds, and one day, you notice a sprout, then two, and eventually, you have a garden that’s full of life, a real reason to smile. That garden didn’t pop up overnight. It took care and patience, and sometimes it was tough, but that’s exactly how change happens.
On days when you’re feeling down, each small thing you do to help yourself is pretty much like planting one of those seeds. It’s true, you may not notice a change immediately, but if you keep at it, give yourself the care you need, slowly but surely, things start to shift. Your life, like that garden, begins to blossom into a place that’s brighter and full of hope. So, remember, even when it’s tough, every little step forward is a step toward a happier, healthier you.
–Priya Devpura, UWM graduate student and LEC Innovation Intern