The Pursuit of Happiness
Did you have a great weekend? Are you feeling happy? I think everyone wants to be happy. But for some, happiness is an elusive, fleeting state that can only be captured for a brief moment, before it floats away like dust in the wind.

The truth is that, as human beings, almost all of our forward momentum is driven by the pursuit of happiness… or of something better. Even the desire to socialize, to love and to connect with other human beings is driven by our desire to be happy. The pursuit of better jobs, higher status, more wealth; for many, it’s a constant pursuit of what we think will bring happiness.

Of course, this certainly doesn’t mean that everything we chase will bring us happiness. In fact, a big part of our struggle with life is figuring out what makes us happy and, perhaps more important, what makes us consistently happy.

You can read about happiness and how others achieved happiness in their own life, but the path that leads to real joy and satisfaction in life is different for each person, and it’s a journey that each person must take on his/her own.

Happiness is a combination of many things: spiritual fulfillment, meaningful relationships in all areas of your life, a sense of accomplishment in your chosen field, knowing that you’re making a difference, a sense of contentment and a variety of other factors. You can’t buy happiness.

I once saw a bumper sticker that read, “Those who say you can’t buy happiness are shopping at the wrong store!” Yes, most people dream of winning the lottery and what it would feel like. Strangely enough, though, many who win the lottery end up miserable. I know, you want to experience it first hand just to be sure. Me too!

“Things” feels good for a while, but then they fade into the wind, and you find yourself buying something else for that brief moment of happiness. True joy, true happiness is found within. When you’re happy, others are happy when they’re around you, bringing you even more happiness.

Something to Think About
The best things in life cannot be bought. What are you most thankful for? What brings you happiness?

Weekly Challenge
Start a journal, and write three things that you are thankful for ¬¬– that bring you happiness – each day.

Words of Wisdom
“It is not in the pursuit of happiness that we find fulfillment, it is in the happiness of pursuit.” – Denis Waitley

“Now and then it's good to pause in our pursuit of happiness and just be happy.” – Guillaume Apollinaire

“Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.” – George Bernard Shaw

“We do not remember days, we remember moments.” – Cesare Pavese

“Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced.” – Soren Kierkegaard