The interesting thing about happiness is that to each and every person the word holds a different meaning. To some that might mean health, or wealth, or graduating from a university, and to others it may mean a quiet day spent in nature, or finally getting that ice cream they've been craving all week.

I believe there are many people that get caught up in the thought process where they can only achieve happiness after they've accomplished something big. The "Oh I'll be happy after I buy my first house" or "I'll be happy once I graduate from college with a degree". While all of these are amazing accomplishments no doubt, it shouldn't be the only way to achieve happiness.

I have found that the people who are most happy are the people who consistently live in the moment, or live for night now. They are completely focused on the moment that they are living. These people don't let what happened in the past get in their view, and they aren't constantly thinking of what comes next.

I believe it sometimes becomes a difficult thing for people to live in the moment at this day in age because there are so many ideas of what happiness or success looks like. A list of things you have to do, or have in your possession, in order to fit into the mold society has shaped, so to speak.

Happiness is much simpler than what society wants us to believe. Happiness can be anything you want it to be. I urge everyone to create their own happiness from the things that they enjoy and love. I'm not saying that making goals is a bad way to achieve happiness, it isn't at all. I make goals myself, and there's no beating the feeling you get when you surpass that goal and move on to the next. I just try to keep in mind it isn't the only way to feel happy with myself.

I have a few very simple things that I know make me happy. Nature is a major one, because witnessing a beautiful sunset is something that makes me happy no matter where I am or what I'm doing. Something that makes me happy that may seem somewhat silly is stretching. I just love waking up in the morning reaching my arms way-up to the sky, and then folding forward to feel the stretch in my lower body too. I could go on for days!

I am extremely happy when I make someone else happy, whether that be giving simple a compliment or telling a funny joke. If I make someone smile or laugh, my day is made.

The important thing to remember is happiness isn't just a goal to achieve, it can be your every day, here and now. You don't have to wait to be happy, life is short so soak up as much happiness as you possibly can.