What is happiness? How do we define a word that can be translated into so many different definitions from every person's standpoint? According to Webster's Dictionary, the first definition of happiness is "good fortune." While yes having good fortune does make me happy, is that TRULY happy?
For some of us, every time we see that glimmer of happiness it somehow seems to slip away. Today, people think they will reach their happiness at their ideal body weight, the number of 0s in their bank account, or by the perimeter of the house. Reaching all of these tangible goals does feel great, but maybe the attempt of reaching those goals is what's making the glimmer of happiness fall.
The attempt to reach that ideal weight means giving up the cupcake or passing on the second serving of that pasta. To have a bank account with so many zeros you lose count, you have to pick up way too many shifts missing out on most events. To have a house so big it might be considered a mansion, you probably need to work towards big bucks first. Again loosing out on special moments. These are the words that are associated in the "pursuit of happiness": giving up, passing, missing, losing. These are not happy words at all.
Giving up things we love and missing out on things we'll regret is whats making us miserable. Those who are searching for their happiness are those who are missing it. Happiness will not come to you by skipping your favorite dessert or picking up extra shifts every night. Happiness is reached when true serenity is found. Serenity is that fuzzy feeling in your tummy when your talking about your passion, listening to your favorite band or spending time with someone you love. A genuine smile can not be reached through tangible possessions. Happiness makes a person feel beautiful, look beautiful, and act beautiful. Happiness will come naturally. Start your day off with a positive thought and go enjoy the sunshine. Tell someone you love them. Dance when you want to dance and sing when you want to sing. Don't skip the cookie and say no to the overtime hours. Stop searching for it and start living for it. Don't modify your happiness for someone else. Searching is what is making it slip from your finger tips. Smile and be genuine.
