Ask a child what they really, really…want and you’ll get a concrete answer. Something like, “I want my mommy and daddy to hug each other” or “I want a puppy.”
Ask an adult what they really, really…want and usually the answer is abstract; something that’s difficult to define or see like, “I want world peace” or “I just want to be happy.”
I’ve heard people say, “I just want to be happy” and when I ask them to tell me what “their happy” looks like, they look at me like I have two heads.
Articles about happiness seem to be showing up everywhere these days. I’m looking at three right now; Happiness At Work, Why Can’t We all Just Be Happy? and, Is Happiness Overrated?
Call me crazy, but is it possible that we could end up feeling really sad from always pursuing happiness?
I don’t think happiness is something we go looking for – it’s something we recognize.
Sure, happiness can come in the form of a new home or a positive medical report, but usually people don’t stop long enough to enjoy the feeling. They’re in a hurry to find something else…something bigger and more extraordinary.
I can suggest that you “try and be in the moment,” but if you only see happiness as some big thing, you will miss the happiness that shows up in your heart.
Wait, there it is…in the love you feel as you peek in your rear-view mirror to see your child happily singing you her favorite song.
There…in your pounding heart as you catch a glimpse of your sweet old dog holding his head out the window, grateful for one more day to feel the breeze on his face.
There…through a tear as your friend walks toward you holding out a cupcake with one candle on it. She remembered your birthday although no one else has.
You can feel the tug of happiness in your heart every day if you learn to recognize what it really looks like.