Happiness, What Does it Take? 

The quest for happiness is not some crazy unknown mystery, unless you decide it is something attainable.  I can tell you right now, happiness is not something tangible you can own or possess.  I can also tell you, not one thing in life or one person will bring you happiness.  Not one event or achieved goal will bring you to the land of bliss and joy.  Not marriage, not having a baby, not becoming VP at your organization or making partner will bring you everlasting happiness; in fact all of those wonderful accomplishments will bring you a new heap of stress & problems. Trust me, ask my parents! 

I am not trying to sound negative like the idea of being happy is impossible because I have wonderful news for you.  Happiness is possible, however, you cannot capture it like a butterfly & you cannot own it.  If you are happy, well, you share it.

If you think losing 50 pounds will solve all your problems, you’re sadly mistaken. It too will bring you new problems, but it will hopefully improve your health.  Taking care of yourself is a great step towards becoming more happy.  However, being healthy is the key, not being skinny. Healthy is strength & strong immune systems and those happy bouncy endorphins which put a kick in your step. 

And if  having a big butt makes you happy, keep it big & bubble like…  Hooray for big booties!

Maybe we are getting closer to what it takes to be happy. Loving yourself is a great start. 

Love yourself and surround yourself with people who love you.  Trust me, it is EXHAUSTING trying to be some cookie cutter idea of what you perceive others think you should be.  You will yield more respect from those who matter most to you & you will also respect yourself which is more important. 

Let it go!  We are always going to be facing individuals who are nay saying negative Nancys.  What value does one voice hold? What value do many voices hold if YOU know you can do something or be more.  To hell with them!  Let it go, don’t waste your energy & do not believe their lies.  For they do not know what you are capable of accomplishing.  Prove to yourself what you can do!

Ask for what you want or need, and if the response is no, keep moving forward asking, someone will say yes. 

Count your blessings & stop  focusing on what you don’t have. Focus on what you do have & think to yourself “holy smackers I am fortunate “. Trust me, if you are reading this you are…

Be yourself, you are one of a kind.

Gratitude is the best attitude. 

Pets can help bring joy into your life.  They can teach us too how to be happy! 

Follow your heart, start living your dream, stop planning and just do it!  

I am not sure happiness is a choice as life can be rough & cruel at times. I do know happiness cannot be bought & you cannot buy love. 

Maybe we are getting closer…

Certainly, we all have moments of happiness. 

Happiness cannot be bought, but…

Moments of happiness can be purchased. 

Happiness is an attitude of gratitude, it is being grateful for what you currently have in life and appreciating today. If you spend your time wishing for a better day tomorrow, you may be sad to see that better day never comes.  All we have is now.  Tomorrow is not promised to anyone.

It is accepting your present situation for what it is in that moment and absolutely some situations need to change, and will change with effort & time. Yet, we also need to know that change doesn’t happen over night so we must live in the now.

Gershwin believes happiness is sharing a warm blanket with his sister Suki! 

So, the great mystery of where to find happiness is inside of you.  Not in a marriage certificate, not in a promotion, not by the fine threads you wear, not by the car you drive, not in the career you hold, not in the weight you dropped, not by the crowd you hang with, and not by the house you own.  For you can be a svelte, gorgeous millionaire with a super model wife & be the poorest & loneliest soul if you are not true to you.

Peace & love – Rachel