Thankfulness,

What is Happiness?

( Article/memoir #2 of the “ out of the Darkness and into the Light” Series)

By: J.T. Dallen

What is happiness? This is the question at hand. What does it mean to be happy. Does it mean laughing all the time or is it just the feeling of warmth, friendship and joyfulness. These are all things related to happiness, one way or another. Whether it’s being with family or friends or it just doing something you love. For me, I never really felt happy the last couple years, not until I found what my purpose was in life. Though that did not help me much.. I really started to feel happy just this week out of the blue. Once, there I was, just like anyone else with depression or some form of it. Though never actually diagnosed I knew I had it. Through the years though, I did many things i should not have done, most that I’m not proud of. I used to think that happiness was just something out of my reach, but now I noticed that a decade full of bad memories and bad times, not only for me and my family, but for some people I have known, it seems like the weight has been lifted off our shoulders. All I can imagine at the moment, is the feeling that everything I do, say, or even write is the true embodiment of my happiness. I used to think writing was a boring thing to do, that reading for hours on end, even if they were writings of my own were not good enough, but it has seemed to be one of my many new passions. For instance, the fact that I am only a teenager in my junior year of high school and I already have typed close to a million words and phrases to describe the way of life and it’s many different aspects is a huge accomplishment.Like I said, I pondered for years on end, only being seventeen, and wondered what happiness is truly. I personally say, happiness is not something well achieved or gained so easily after the perils one may go through, but more than ever I have noticed that happiness is something truly astonishing. My life has never been better until now when I finally found that my happiness is in what I write and what I enjoy to do, whether with family or friends. People have seen me the past couple of years with a smile on my face without knowing what I was truly thinking. Well now I don't have to hide who I am anymore. The real person that I am is a happy, upbeat kinda guy. While this whole article is truly about thinking of what you are thankful for in this life. Whether you're having a bad day or just feeling drained, remember what you are truly thankful for.

I am truly thankful to have a dad in heaven and on earth, a mom whose love is never ending, siblings who are supportive of my choices as I am with theirs, and truly to be alive and well in this world. The feeling that I get in the morning each day is beyond compare to anything else, knowing that I have lived to see another great day. Most people overlook that and think of other things or they think otherwise of something opposite. I couldn't figure out why people are still talking about this election either, because truly it's over, there’s nothing really we can do to change the outcome of it whether you liked one more than the other or neither of them. The election is over and now terrible things are happening to people caught in the crossfire of all this, no matter if it's a kid or an adult, there is a problem that will arise day by day. Now we must focus on our loved ones. The holiday season is upon us, heck thanksgiving is next week!

All of us, no matter race, religion, age, or gender can all agree that happiness is spending time with your friends and family this time of year. You find happiness in the conversations you have with them and the memories you share and make. There's nothing better than a good old family thanksgiving dinner with your loved ones, no matter if it's at home or at another family member's house or even if no family plans are made, friends come in handy too. I leave all of you with a new question now, that will go along with what you believe happiness is. That question of course, is none other than of what you are thankful for? Whether it's family related or something else that you find very dear and near. What matters is deciding, to go on with these bad times in the news or carry on with being happy and thankful that you have lived to see another day. Happy holidays to all this holiday season, and believe that we can all end 2016 on a good note. Be thankful and forgiving, be happy not only on your own, but together with others, and most importantly, remind yourself that your life and others lives are all equal and connected one way or another, race, age, gender, nor religion can separate people who are thankful to live another day.