by Altaire Aurelius

Created on: December 12, 2008   Last Updated: February 02, 2012

Happiness! That seemingly unachievable state of mind in which you find yourself content and in sync with everything in your life. We find ourselves always reaching for more today and seem to receive less for our effort. This begs a question, how do we find happiness in our lives?

I have found myself searching for a place of happiness most of my life. In 1988 and 1989 I was getting ready to graduate high school and had not been happy growing up in rural South Arkansas. I felt that I would be happier if I could just get out of that place and into a more urban setting where more opportunity would present itself. I had joined the United States Marine Corps and was set to ship out immediately upon graduation from school. I just knew that getting away from this little state and town would launch me into bliss unlike any I had ever known, I was wrong. After graduating high school I left for boot camp and graduated Platoon Honorman. I was elated to be number one and returned home on top of the world but that happiness was short lived.

I looked for happiness in marriage and was disappointed. I looked for happiness by continuing to move around from place to place looking for the elusive prey in every nook and cranny and I was still without it. I tried marriage a second time and found out that I was content and started a family but the happiness that I had sought was still not there. I was at my wits end. I had searched the world and was convinced that happiness did not exist. It was at this time that I gave up my search and was content with what I had.

I went through my days after this not searching and something wonderful happened. I began to look at my life in a much different way. I looked at the accomplishments of my past and realized that they contributed to who I was and who I was destined to be. I then looked at my goals for the future and realized that my life was still wide open. The last chapter hasn't been written yet. I don't have to live for tomorrow just live and appreciate what I have now and what I have been privileged to experience. There has been tragedy and loss in my past but when I think back they aren't the things that make me who I am, they simply contribute to the whole picture that has become me today. They didn't make me, I made me and I used those things as building blocks. I have a beautiful family and a great career with a company that is solid and appreciates me for who I am and what I can offer. I have friends who depend on me and are lessened without me. I have Co-Workers who look up to me and use me as an example for how to conduct themselves. My Children think I hung the moon and stars and look to me for comfort and strength. My Wife loves me even when I don't feel or act lovable. I had found happiness!

Happiness found me when I stopped looking for it and started looking at what I had. I had it all the time and was keeping it beaten down with search. To be happy all we have to do is take a look at all the great things in our life. Maybe you have trouble finding them but if you will truly look into your life and all that you have experienced you will find the things that helped you become who and what you are today. The very fact that you can set goals for your future is a seed of happiness.

I guess to sum up all that I have said I would say this. If you want to find happiness you need look no further that the mirror. Happiness is in you and around you just let it out and stop looking for it everywhere else.

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