Many spiritual books, including this one, tell us that we should learn to grow from our pain and to bear all the obstacles of life with faith in the ultimate goodness and perfection of this universe. However, it is important to realize that we can grow, not only through hardship, but also through joy.

One of the main secrets of spiritual happiness is that things don't have to be so hard. Spirituality doesn't have to be so hard. Life doesn't have to be so hard. Learning our lessons doesn't have to be so hard. Some people always seem to look at life through the glasses of "everything is hard," and you can be sure that such glasses are bound to affect their experience of happiness and unhappiness.

One fairly advanced level of spiritual growth is to learn to be happy even during trials and tribulations. However, even if we're not always able to stay perfectly happy during bad times, we can at least learn to be happy when things are going well! I know people who have great blessings in their lives, but who complain about being depressed and appear to be much more upset about their few challenges than grateful for their massive blessings.

Some people even find that they are actually happier during tough times, because their appreciation for small and large blessings becomes more sensitized and awakened. Challenges may require us to drop our layers of superficial boredom and dissatisfaction and to draw upon inner resources of strength, fortitude, courage, gratitude, wisdom, prayer, and a positive mindset.


...more of this chapter is available in the book, "Secrets of Spiritual Happiness," by Sharon Janis.

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