I think that happiness is a lot simpler than it is made out to be. "I just want to be happy". We hear, say, and think these words more than we count throughout our lifetimes. What is it, though, that TRULY would make you happy? Buying those pair of shoes that you saw in your favorite store? Finally getting the guy you like to take you on a date? Acing that micro test you studied your butt off for? The answer differs for everyone. Because of that, I decided to ask my friends and family what, to them, was true happiness. And this is what they said:
"Being surrounded by the people I love most in my life"
"Being able to make the best in any situation"
"A moment of contentment and effortless joy"
"All of my children are happy, safe and at peace"
"Feeling God's presence through the people you surround yourself around"
"Being content and grateful for everything you have instead of focusing on what you don't have"
"The smallest things in life"
"Finding joy in whatever situation. Counting it all joy in the bad and the good. Being content in the plan that God has set out for you"
"A deep, warm feeling of joy and contentment that you want to share with other people"
And one of my favorite answers that I think everyone needs to take to heart:
"Being surrounded by people that fill me up and dazzle me from within…it is giving, not monetarily, but rather the pure moments that make you smile. It is taking time for yourself, caring for yourself. It is demanding what you deserve and relishing every moment you live in. Happiness is living life to its fullest potential, loving myself through every moment of it, and surrounding myself with the people who are precious to me."
If you noticed, not a single one of these answers include any material thing. They include quite the opposite: nothing but enjoying life, yourself and the people around you. This was one of my favorite articles to write because it's always an important reminder to remember what happiness truly is and how easy it is to obtain it. In today's world, it is so easy to get caught up on all of the things that take happiness away from you, when in reality, it only surrounds you. You just have to remind yourself what it is.
The next time you find yourself thinking "I just want to be happy", remind yourself what REAL happiness is. And how, no matter what situation you are in, you can always find it.
