Breathe
Lately I can't help but wonder what happiness is. We had a talk about it with June and I think I kind of came to a conclusion. I suppose the correct way to start off would be to define happiness. But that is next to impossible.
Some say happiness is a feeling and some say it's a way of thinking. I think it is both. The more important (and harder) question is: 'What does it mean to be happy?'
Truthfully, I'm not really sure. Everyone's happiness is different. Somebody can feel joy when skiing, while someone else's soul is slipping out of his body on the slope. We all have a different image of happiness.
What I noticed though, is that for most people, happiness is a goal. It is something they do not have at the moment and need to work towards. It's an image in their head that they chase after. But they can never reach it. Even if they obtain that goal, another one pops up. People never really have enough. That's why, if you see happiness as a goal you need to reach, you will never grasp it. I'm not saying one shouldn't have a goal or a dream or an image of what they want their life to look like. What I mean is, why can't we be happy during the journey towards it? Enjoy the process of reaching our goal.
I honestly believe it's the little things in life we should appreciate. Once you learn to enjoy tiny, seemingly pointless things, you will realize happiness is not such a faraway goal. I, for example, appreciate the sun shining, or having a good laugh, reading a great book, sleeping in, trying new food etc. Just these kind of ordinary, everyday things, but once I realized they made me happy, it's all it takes to brighten up my day.
People should work towards their goal, but at the same time they should take in their surroundings and try to notice what makes them feel good. That way, I think happiness will truly become a part of people's life, even when things aren't working the way they want them to. And I'd just like to add one last important thing. Never pity yourself. Once you do, life becomes an endless nightmare.