A while ago, I talked to my best friend about the happiness you find and experience as a kid compared to the happiness in our lives now. My response (from what I can remember) was that since we're in two different points of our lives, what we find happiness in is not going to be exactly the same.

And that was all I said.

But, I keep thinking about it and just know I could have said more. I could have mentioned that our happiness, should not be dependent on the big things but the opposite, the small things. I believe that happiness is about believing in the simplest of things and experiences, much like the happiness you find as a child. But, like I said, it's not going to be exactly the same. Those simple things are going to vary as you go through each stage of life and then some. Its up to you to find out what makes you happy again, or as a favorite quote goes "be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire."

Although not a long show, I recently finished the show, "Rick and Morty." Its an adult cartoon about a grandfather and his grandson as they travel across various dimensions and time to loosely fix problems they've created. I started it in between studying and do homework with my best friend as a way to take a break from all the stress of college. As a cartoon, the plot is not as important as the fact that it is meant to be fun to watch. Watching this show brought me back to my childhood, the Saturday morning cartoons, and just being a kid.

I had these same thoughts going through my old things recently, figuring out which were connected to the most important memories. Looking at some of those photos, mementos, and knick-knacks, I found that child-like happiness again.

It's the little things in life

When it comes to happiness, you can find it in all sorts of things. Some people find it in material things, others in the memories and experiences that can't be bought. But, happiness varies from person to person, and even then from time to time. It's up to you to determine what exactly makes you happy, especially when you feel down. For me, it's getting the tiniest break from school, making it seem like stress is nonexistent. I do this by watching whatever catches my eye on Netflix or Hulu and finding (or making, depending on how you look at it) someone to watch it with. Or I go out and explore the area around me. And that's that. Like the header says, it's usually the little things in life. Maybe you find it in the comforting presence of another or playing a game, it really doesn't matter.

Find your little things and happiness should follow.

It's hard to think about, especially during the later stages of life where stress is prominent, but everyone's inner child never fades completely. I like to think that it recedes into itself a little bit, waiting to be set free as you find every little thing that makes you happy. Your inner child is what pushes you to smile at dumb jokes and puns, play games like tag and hide and seek even when it feels silly, etc. Its what pushes you to watch those cartoons, adult or not, and do something for fun, for yourself. This part of you is there when times are tough and problems are weighing down on you. You simply need to find the courage to bring it out, to realize that not everything is as bleak as it seems. There should be a balance between your goals and hard work and the passions/hobbies you have in life. While this may be difficult to find, you should never worry because I know for sure that you will find it.