Don't Worry, Be Happy
Catchy ... but often elusive
We usually have a lot going on, even with only 3 of our 8 kids still living at home. That can make life look a bit like a highlight reel of presumed happy times … but…
The world today seems obsessed with happiness, doesn't it? Every other ad, every other self-help guru, every other social media post is all about how to be happy, how to find happiness, how to keep happiness. It’s enough to make a person wonder if they're doing it all wrong if they're not walking around with a permanent grin.
What Exactly Is It?
Truth be told, happiness is a slippery fish. You try to grab it too hard, and it just wriggles right out of your hands. And the funny thing is, the harder you chase it, the more it seems to run away. Maybe that's because happiness isn't a destination you arrive at, like a vacation spot you've been saving up for. It’s more like the sun peeking through the clouds on a spring day – sometimes it’s bright and warm, sometimes it’s a little dim, and sometimes, well, sometimes it's just not there at all. And that's okay.
More Than Just "Happy"
When I think about happiness, especially as the years pile up and I've seen a few more sunrises than sunsets, I realize it’s not always about grand gestures or big, booming laughter. Sometimes, the truest happiness is quiet. It’s the smell of coffee brewing on a Saturday morning. It’s the comfortable silence between you and an old friend. It’s the satisfaction of a job well done, even if it’s just weeding the garden. It’s the way your grandchild’s hand fits perfectly in yours. These little moments, stitched together, create a quilt of contentment that’s far more resilient than any fleeting burst of joy.
The Wisdom of Letting Go
We spend so much of our lives trying to control things, don't we? Our careers, our finances, our waistlines. And while a little planning is certainly a good thing, when it comes to happiness, sometimes the best thing we can do is just let go. Let go of the idea that you have to be happy all the time. Let go of comparing your life to someone else’s highlight reel on the internet. Let go of the past regrets and the future worries.
When we can just be with what is, even if what is isn't perfectly joyful, that's where a different kind of peace settles in. It's the peace of acceptance, the peace of knowing that life, in all its messy, wonderful, sometimes sad, sometimes hilarious glory, is happening right now. And in that acceptance, often, a quiet happiness blossoms.
So, next time you hear someone talking about the pursuit of happiness, maybe take a deep breath and just be. You might find that happiness isn't something you chase; it's something you notice, like a shy little wildflower blooming in an unexpected place.
What are some of those small, quiet moments that bring you a sense of contentment? I'd love to hear about them.