The ever-elusive quest for happiness. Western society programs us to yearn for external stuff to be happy. When we have approval from others, that new computer game, the bigger house,… then we’ll be happy. Or so we think.

I grew up in a generation where moms actually did say, “Eat your broccoli, there are kids starving in Biafra”. Guilt management of children and eating their vegetables aside, they had a point. In a backhanded, control freak sort of way, they were also trying to teach us about gratitude.

If traveling the world (particularly Asia and South America) has shown me anything, it is that poverty exists on a scale that I did not previously comprehend as an adult, let alone at age 7. There are multitudes in the world who yearn for the simple basics: Food, potable water, adequate shelter.

Always striving for “bigger, better, faster” on which to build our house of happiness, in fact dooms us to eternal unhappiness. We build on shifting sand. When we reach a solid place of feeling internal wholeness and peace without any of the “add-ons” (Would you like to upgrade your fast food today?), then true, sustainable happiness is possible.

Happiness is a state of mind, and a choice, at any given moment. It’s not a destination.

Inspirational Quotes:

“For every minute you are angry you lose sixty seconds of happiness.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.” ~ Mahatma Gandhi

“Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.” ~ Dalai Lama XIV

Happy | Are You? © Susan L Hart 2019 | Hart Haiku