In my opinion, happiness is where the heart is. To find it, you have to do some soul searching. What you determine is happiness, can be totally different than for someone else. That's what's so remarkable about this country, because we have options and are not forced in our beliefs and ideas.

This country may have issues, but I would not want to live anywhere else in the world, because happiness is just a day away. For me, being close to my family makes me feel happier than anything I can buy or own. Material or superficial things have no bearing on the persson that I am, therefore happiness shall never elude me.

I believe in a sound foundation, and that starts with a solid family tree. I can honestly say that I have very few regrets about how I was raised, because my family unit was strong. When I had a bad day or was not feeling happy at the moment, I had siblings that would cheer me up and I would do the same for them.

Being that everyone is different, I understand that what I consider to be important, others may find happiness in something they may buy or attain, but that is their right and opinion to purchase happiness. I understand, not everyone has a close family, like the one that I was blessed with and for that reason I would never judge them for trying to make their lives complete.

When I was younger, I used to wish that I could be rich and able to buy expensive things. I think that was fairly normal, but I later realized that was not very important in the big picture of things. Having someone that you can confide in and share precious moments with, that is priceless. Although my brothers and sisters may have had our childhood fights and arguments, when it came down to it, we were a bond that could not be easily separated.

Happiness is not something that could or should be taken for granted, because once you neglect it, getting it back sometimes can be a difficult task. Outside of my family unit, I believe in keeping a small circle of friendship, because to me, having many friends takes away from the closeness and limits the possibility of finding sincere happiness.

I know my meaning of happiness will be totally different than the next person, but that is what makes us unique.

Learn more about this author, Larry Terry.
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