The Pursuit of Happiness

"Happiness is a state of mind or feeling characterized by contentment, love, satisfaction, pleasure, or joy". Happiness is usually associated with positive emotions or actives, such as relationships, employment, health, optimism, it is also associated with religion. Happiness isn't always a given for most it is challenging, at times even difficult to come by. After reading more about happiness I found that happiness seems to be greater in that of the older generation than of the younger generation. The younger generation happens to be under more stress & pressure, having anxiety, depression and financial problems. The older generation have lived their lives and learned valuable lessons to ensure that they are happy. This made me realize that making a "mistake" or "failing" (per say) is just a lesson to help you get closer to happiness. During the pursuit of happiness it can take sacrifice, leaving people, losing things, maybe even shutting out the world just to get right. The question is what defines HAPPINESS to you? What will it take for you to be HAPPY? Are you willing to start take those steps towards being HAPPY? HOW BAD DO YOU WANT TO BE HAPPY?
Everyone answer to what happiness is will be different, so judge not.

As I reflect on the things that make me happy, none of those things are tangible items. However, there was a time when my tangible things made me extremely happy, then I finally realized those things can be taken away, maybe they were even some type of shield. Anywho, lesson learned TANGIBLE things do NOT EQUAL HAPPINESS! Sometimes my happiness came from making others HAPPY. I struggled with my definition or reasoning of HAPPINESS for a minute, took me sometime, I secluded myself but I got the gist of it. I gave up things, distant myself from some people, just to re-evaluate, prioritize, mastermind & then go after mine! My happiness comes solely from BEING, being a Mom, being a Daughter, being a Sister, being a Aunt, being a Cousin, being a Friend, being with God, keeping my faith, remaining fearless & believing in MYSELF. I have jumped over plenty of hurdles in my life and for some of them happiness only last for moments. I've been enjoying equating my happiness to just being, so you'll always catch a smile on my face, sometimes it's just in my eyes. Oh and besides just being, I'm OPTIMISTIC (always have been, always will be).

I tell my mini-story to say, find your happiness, be in pursuit of it! I challenge you!! It's 39 days into the New Year, you still have time to be HAPPY! Take a moment think about it, re-evaluate, prioritize and move forward. No matter what it is that makes you happy be willing to do what it takes to get there. Happiness is NOT GIVEN. *If you like comment below give a part of what makes you Happy and what happiness means to you! *



~Anytime there is struggle there is preparation for what is about to come~ Lisa "Left Eye" Lopez



*Ms. Banks*