The Pursuit Of Happiness

"Happiness is not having what you want... it's wanting what you have."

The pursuit of happiness has probably occupied the mind of man (and woman) for millennia. Webster's defines happiness as: feelings of joy and pleasure mingled in varying degrees; the satisfaction of the deepest desire.

We each have different "deepest desires" and those desires can change radically throughout our life. As we mature, so do our desires. But one thing I have noticed through the years is that happiness is like the proverbial carrot dangling in front of me. I may have thought that happiness was obtaining some “thing,” but when I got that "thing," it didn't make me happy at all!

Have you noticed that? We think that we'll find happiness when we meet that special someone, or when we have children, or when they grow up and leave home, or when we retire, or when we find the perfect job, or the perfect house, or win the lottery, etc., etc., etc. There is always something to strive for, but true happiness still eludes us.

Eckhart Tolle says that our ego is never satisfied and we will constantly strive for more as long as it is in control... I'm working on that :).

But in the meantime, I have come to realize that happiness is a choice and it's the small things that make for happiness. The key is to enjoy what you already have and acknowledge your accomplishments no matter how large or small.

Give yourself a pat on the back when you reach a goal! Be grateful for all the gifts you have in your life. There is always so much to be grateful for and I make a point of recording those moments in a Gratitude Journal. There are times when I find myself being grateful for gratitude and "happy tears" roll down my face!

There isn't a person in this world who doesn't have something to give thanks for. There’s the time we share with loved ones, a delicious meal, a beautiful sunset, an unexpected visit by a friend. Life is full of happy moments.

I don't believe there is any magic recipe for happiness. The secret is to make the choice each and every day... find something to be happy about.

For me, it's the simple things that make me happiest: Holding my new grandson, watching the birds at my feeder, the purr of my cat laying beside me. Colour can also make me happy... as can food! (There are times when there's nothing better than a decadent chocolate dessert!)

Give me a beautiful spring day with birds chirping and the sun warm on my back after a cold Canadian winter. Now that's happiness!