THE QUEST FOR HAPPINESS!!!!

photo credits: Rodney Smith

THE QUEST FOR HAPPINESS

Happiness is a well-worn word. An ideal state. A wish in every human heart. A feeling, and sensation which only can be felt daily, from time to time o maybe never. And though, the secret of how to reach for it hasn´t been revealed to all of us. That´s why some of us consider happiness as an Utopia.

What is true, is that attitudes, reactions, and the way we manage to live, can open a path to be a happy person. Thus, in your hands is the choice of being happy or unhappy.

There are many ways of amaking that dream a reality, and it depends only on us. Never compare yourself to others. Do not depend of the different pastimes that you find in life to escape of unhappiness. Try to make important and significant things a source of finding joy for your life.

It´s important to know that not only the most succesful job, or the one which brings more money is the one which would give you happiness. Be conscious that reaching for happiness takes efforts, and some times we can difficulties. But, there´s hope, God never leave us alone, in His words He says: "Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you for your own." ( Joshua 1: 9).

The purpose here is not to avoid the difficult times; do not despair, but to strive. Do not be satisfied by unrelevant things, or by events you can´t modify. Don´t lose your goals, and keep on mind the reward that you will get. So you will be willing to reach for it.

Always remember that gratitude and goodness are the essential ingredients to be happy. The most goodness you do with people and the most thankful you are with God, the most interior peace you will reach.

Try to avoid bad thoughts, as much as you can. God advises us in his word: "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure., whatever si lovely, whatever is admirable... think about such things." (Phillipians 4:8).

Develop constructive habits, rather than destructive ones. Do not forget that moderation is the key to enjoy life, more than those who have addictive patterns of life. Accept, withouth bitterness, that everything in life has a price, and you have to choose between paying that price or forget about what you wish for. Your attitudes and your perspective of life, are the best vaccine against despair and your best tool to face tragedy.

Do not compare financial success with happiness. If your quest for it, is because of a desire for the tranquility, safety and joy of your beloved ones, it will make your happines grow. But, if you do it to, just to boast about your riches, or amaze others it would guide you to unhappiness. "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil" (1 Timothy 6:10)

Do not sabotage your own happiness, trying to find the utmost imperfection even in the most beautiful scenario. Nothing is perfect in this life. If your achievements are not what you had dreamed, quit that search and enjoy what you have, or keep on going and change your reality.

Try to minimize the expectations about your children. They are not obedient automats, they are individuals and so they can dissapoint you or give you bad moments. They are in a process of learning and can be wrong ocasionally. Expectations can also, damage the relationship with your couple, we take for granted that they are there all the time, and we forget to thank all the good things they do for us.

It´s good for you to make inventory of everything good in your life. When you begin to feel gratitude for those things, you will no longer want the unnecessary things. When one of your friends, do something that you don´t like, do not be angry at him, do not blame him. Just make him know that you were dissapointed on what he did. Stop remembering those bad things you had received from people. Instead, try to bring to your memory all the goodness you have received, or you will end up loosing them all.

If you discover, that in your life there´s a tendency to attract unpleasant people to you, then there is a failure in your nature. To be identified with other people´s nature, try to speek deep issues that will bring up their values. One of the ways of knowing if you have chosen a good friend is to ask yourself why is he my friend? If your family relationships are of love, and the bond with your couple is a solid one, then your chances of beng happy will raise up.

One of the blessings of God for our lives, is to live free from enemies, that is when we are concerned about the well being and the harmony amongst those who are around us.

WHEN A MAN´S WAY
ARE PLEASING
TO THE LORD,
HE MAKES EVEN
HIS ENEMIES,
LIVE AT PEACE
WITH HIM.
(Proverbs 16:7).

by Henry Leguizamo