Happiness

“There are two ways to get enough. One is to continue to accumulate more and more. The other is to desire less.”

― G.K. Chesterton

Have you ever noticed how happiness is fleeting and often seems to exist in the future? In a carrot before the horse type of arrangement, it forever seems to be out of reach.

Humans like to qualify happiness. “I will be happier when this pandemic is over.” “I will be happier when summer gets here.” I will be happier when I get that new job and more money.” “I will be happier when I move to a warmer place.” “I will be happier when so and so gets elected president.” “I will finally be happy when I find that person who will complete me.”

Notice all these things are external. Why would you give your power to anything outside of you? Happiness is internally generated- or it isn’t. That is up to you.

We strive forever to be happy; we work at it like our lives depend on it, chasing ghosts, until one day, we realize that by always looking ahead, we weren’t present for our lives as we lived them. And then suddenly, our time is gone, and we are full of regrets.   

Anchor yourself in the present and find things to be happy about right now. Give thanks for the day, for your beating heart. Consciously bring out the highest and best within you, let it be reflected in how you treat others, and you will soon find true happiness. Look within fearlessly; your inherent peace is there; find and hold onto it with all you have. It is more important now than ever.

“True happiness is to enjoy the present, without anxious dependence upon the future, not to amuse ourselves with either hopes or fears but to rest satisfied with what we have, which is sufficient, for he that is so wants nothing.

-Seneca