An exercise in Happiness

Happiness seems to be defined as a positive state of mind.  It does not seem to lie necessarily in the work we do, or in relationships or in people per se; it requires an attitude adjustment towards acquiring a state of mind which combines certain elements and leaves you feeling fulfilled and a more complete person. We cannot always be or feel happy because our lives are affected by circumstances, like hurt, pain and regrets.  However, decisions made are more likely to produce happiness than indecisiveness. And yet it is very easy to get into the mentality that we cannot make decisions because they will cause more hurt or destroy our peace.  But happiness lies carefully hidden, but still attainable, in the place where peace exists and the things that steal our peace, are the same things that steal our happiness. We tend to blame things in our lives for our unhappiness or believe that we are responsible for making others happy as if it is our duty or responsibility but in reality happiness is often a subjective and personal experience.  Even so we need to take certain things with us in the pursuit of happiness, like a positive attitude, the right team, the correct belief system, a single minded purpose and an idea of what lies in store. We need clear goals and a belief that we can achieve a happy state here and now and not just some obscure concept which is only to be found in a dazed, confused and uncertain state of mind somewhere in an uncertain future.  There is also little point in striving to get to a place of happiness, only to want something else to make us happy when we get there.  We need to be satisfied with the choices we make and the results we achieve and be extremely grateful for the journey that got us to that place in the first place.  Some of us need to drop our standards a little or be less critical and not to overanalyze every circumstance until it all but frustrates us, but rather enjoy the ride once in a while, no matter what the worldly outcome may be.  Lets face it "Grumpy" has never been happy.  We are of little value if we are frustrated, bitter or downright miserable.  Our decisions may not always be popular, understandable or what would seem to be the main stream thing to do, but these are defining times and we better believe that what we do now is going to have an impact in a few years from now. If we really want this thing called happiness then we owe it to ourselves to make an effort to achieve it.  This is no time to sit on our butts and think that it will come to us and we better accept that the way we think things are going to turn out will probably look very different when eventually the day comes that we truly feel happy.  So grab hold of the one or two or three things that make you happy and be relentless to pursue their conclusion.