The Road to Happiness

If you ask me what is missing most in my life, often times I will respond “happiness.” When I’m asked what I want most out of life, the typical response to that is “to be happy.”

Happiness. It’s such an attainable goal; one that we have the power to reach every day. But, we’re often so focused on capturing it, chasing it, and keeping it, that we often forget that the simple concept of happiness only leaves us, if we allow it.

That is what my life has been like over the years. A quest to find “happy.” A long, seemingly endless search to find contentment again. So, I began to chase the concept of happiness, mistakenly thinking that it would actually work. Forgetting that happiness can’t be pursued.

My thinking started going in many different directions. “If I buy this book on how to be happy, maybe I’ll be happy.” “If I take a vacation, maybe then I’ll find my happy place.” “If I land my dream job, then I know I’ll be happy. If I write this widely successful article, then I’ll be happy! Do any of these sound familiar?

Looking around, it appeared as though everyone had some form of happiness in their lives, and that’s great, but what about me? Was I doing something wrong? Did life forget to tell me something? Am I not allowed to be happy? What can I do to finally achieve happiness? I hated to be left out of the big happiness brigade that seemed to hit everyone but me. 

Along this emotional journey, I’m learning a plethora of lessons. First, happiness is a choice. It’s a state of mind. Every day we are given the opportunity to radiate positivity and happiness. It’s all in what we choose.

Look at the apostle Paul. If anyone had a right to complain, it was him! He wrote most of his teachings from a prison cell. Paul was beaten, persecuted, jailed, stoned, tortured, and left for dead. Seriously, how could he not complain?!

But, Paul learned the greatest lesson anyone could ever learn. Contentment doesn't come from worldly possessions. Rather, contentment is found in Christ alone. Paul puts it this way:

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through Him who gives me strength. - Philippians 4:11-13

Wow! Those verses were also written from a prison cell. Maybe we can all learn a lesson from Paul? As long as he had Christ, he didn't worry or fret over the trouble coming his way. He knew that Christ is the only true source of contentment. When we are secure in Him, when we are content in Him, we can learn to be content in anything.

I’m also learning that happiness comes when you stop trying to chase it. Ultimately, happiness comes to you when you stop looking, stop thinking about it, and stop complicating it. 

Happiness can be found in the most unexpected places, and with the most unexpected people. 

Most importantly though, I’m alwayslearning that true, pure happiness can only be found when you place your worries, cares, and stresses into God’s hands. When you surrender your anxieties to Him, only then will you find the peace and contentment you seek. Let me tell you a little story…

I went for a walk around my neighborhood the other day. The weather was beautiful, the temperature was perfect, so I laced up my jogging shoes, plugged in my ear phones and went on my way.

While I was walking, for the first time, in a long time, I paid attention to the beauty of nature. I inhaled the sweet sunshine and let the light illuminate my lungs. I smelled the beautiful lilacs in bloom. As I paused to look around me, I noticed the stillness, the quietness. Suddenly, I felt an overwhelming sense of happiness surge through me like an electric jolt. It was a beautiful day to be alive, to be grateful, to be able to walk and breathe and think. My eyes were opened to the gift of life that God had blessed me with. It was then that this truth was spoken into my heart: in all of my crazy pursuit to “find” happiness, I realized that happiness never left me like I thought. It’s been within me all along.

Happiness is in the times when I hug someone I love.

It’s when the sun shines its glorious rays of warmth on my face.

It's when I’m gazing at the stars after a night ride of just singing and chatting with my mom.

It’s when I’m having a heart to heart with my dad. Or when my dogs are simply laying on my chest.

It’s the energy from a concert that I attended.

It’s the inspiration from my favorite book.

It’s the unforgettable times shared with my grandma.

It’s late night writing, even when I have to be up in two hours.

It’s when my cat licks my face.

It’s face timing with my six year old cousins.

It’s hearing my favorite song and singing at the top of my lungs.

It’s kind words from strangers, who prove that there still is good in the world.

It’s nights out with my closest friends, just laughing and catching up on our lives.

It’s those times when I sit in silence and feel the love of God all around me. It’s focusing solely on having a heart to heart with Jesus.

It’s when I laugh so hard my stomach hurts.

It’s when my heart is so filled with love that I think it’s going to burst. It’s realizing that there’s always, always someone out there who loves me as I am.  

It’s recognizing all of the beauty around me. The sight of a rainbow after a storm. The shadings of orange, red, and yellow leaves in autumn. The magic of the fresh fallen snow on Christmas morning. And SO much more. 

And it took a simple walk to shed light on that fact. Because the truth is: happiness cannot be bought, worn, traveled to, or chased. Happiness is not one gigantic thing, it’s a million little things. A million moments that we gather up from every day and collect in our hearts, souls, and memories. A million smiles.

Sure, happiness is different for everyone. But, this is what it means to me. So, by being still and quiet, (and filled with an enormous amount of gratitude and prayer!) I’ve stopped chasing happiness and instead, let it land upon my shoulder like a butterfly. I'm learning to be content in Christ and rest in Him, fully. And, it’s the best decision I’ve ever made.