Happiness. The somewhat elusive American dream – “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” That little phrase that is tucked inside our Declaration of Independence makes the case for happiness being something that everyone is always on a quest to find. That it’s a finicky feeling, one that comes for just a moment and then takes off, always needing to be pursued. It’s a criminal on the run.

I’m learning that happiness can be here to stay. Sure, sometimes it will be harder to find in day to day life than at other times, but it can still be there. Happiness can depend on what each of us decides it will depend on, and because of that, it can always be there.

It may be stereotypical, but the phrase “always look on the bright side of life” definitely applies here. There is happiness in everything. In waking up every morning. In the fluffy white clouds scattered in a bright blue sky. In having loved ones around to watch Netflix with. It’s the little things, right?

In order for happiness to stay, we need to build it up. We need to take what we have that is good and hold on to it with both hands. Don’t let the good things go. Life can be rough sometimes, but if we grab hold of the good things, we have a foundation to keep us grounded.

It can be all too easy to let your own individual happiness rely on someone else or circumstances that are out of your control. Don’t let happiness be defined by a significant other – no one wants to think about it, but they may leave. Don’t let happiness be defined by your place in life – that wonderful job you have at the moment could in fact just be temporary.

Let your happiness be defined by what you can control. Let it be defined by your own passions, your dreams, and your goals. Figure out who you are based on your own compass, and build your happiness up from there.

For me, happiness isn’t elusive. It’s always there if I only look harder for it. My happiness is rooted in my faith. I know that God will be there for me no matter what. He’ll still be there when my friends leave, when my family goes through a rough time, or when I don’t know what I’m doing with my life (i.e., always). I can always rely on my faith to remind me of what I have to be thankful for, and of the good things that I have in my life. Good things bring happiness with them. It’s just the way it works. Figure out what can remind you of the good in your life and stick with it. Let that reminder be there every morning when you rise, even when there're dark clouds ahead.

Don’t let your happiness be fleeting. Find every little morsel of sunshine and tuck it away for a rainy day. Find what will bring you your sunshine and never let it go.