Chasing Happiness

How do you define happiness?

For some people, it means being super successful in their career and being rich. For others, finding their soulmate and having a family is their version of joy.

And for others, the freedom of being able to travel would be the ultimate in contentment.

Everyone has their own interpretation of what happy looks like.

One thing I have realized, is that my happiness doesn’t depend on anyone else.

As a young girl, I was brainwashed to believe the Disney Fairytale that the key to ultimate bliss is being swept off our feet by a prince. He would save us no matter what the plight-enslaved in rags by a wicked stepmother, poisoned by an apple, or even held captive in the tower of a castle.

Alas, once we are saved, our prince is the key to everlasting joy and love.

As much as I love fairytales, I call bs. I’ve been in love and for good or for bad, a man has never been my ‘everything’.

Maybe that’s why my relationships never lasted, but there is more to life than what comes with a man.

I’m a mom, a sister, an aunt, a friend, a writer, a traveler, a reader and just me.

This idea that we are chasing happiness should really be put to a stop. There is immense freedom when you let go of expectations.

You’re not going to be happier when you make x dollars or when your kid stops sassing you.

You’re not going to be happier when you lose 10 pounds or go on a fancy vacation.

Sure, any and all of those will give you satisfaction, but the reality is you should choose joy every single day. And I use the word ‘choose’ on purpose because it would be easy to get lost in what you don’t have, and lose sight of everything you do.

I may not have the skin of my 20 year old daughters, but I have years of wisdom. I may not have the career I had hoped for, but I have the drive and perseverance to keep trying.

At the end of the day, I can honestly say if my kids are healthy and happy, then that’s enough for me. Their joy is truly my joy.

And the icing on the cake is all the other things that make up my incredible life. My health, my amazing extended family and friends, travel, reading, spinning, laughing.

I admit I get caught up in the little annoying things that seem to pop up all the time-a lost uniform, a broken appliance, my dog needing to see the vet (again). The reality is those stressors are just my having to manage all of my blessings.

There is so so much to be grateful for.

If you’re struggling, I encourage you to make a list of what’s good in your life, the little things that make you happy.

My list would include things like sunflowers, a hot cup of coffee, watching my son play soccer, seeing my adult girls flourishing, admiring the way nature paints the sky with a beautiful sunset, reading a great book, spending time with loved ones and even just watching TV with my kids.

Life is too short to be waiting for the big break to bring us joy.

Stop chasing it and find it in the now.

Wishing y’all lots of love, peace and happiness.