are you happy?

Happiness is not having what you want, but wanting what you have. - Anonymous

I was driving up the coast recently and it was a gorgeous day. I was so happy to be out of the office and away from any demands. I was feeling happy. As we were driving I couldn’t help but look at all the drivers on either side of me. I was asking the question, “Are you happy” I know, what a crazy thing to ask when you are on a freeway. But it occurred to me that we spend so much time getting there that I had to ask myself “Do we ever arrive?” I really did want to roll down the window and ask but decided to save that for another day. ;)

So it brings me back to the question of what is happiness and how do you know if you are happy? What does that mean to you? Where does your mind go? How do you want to respond and what comes out of your mouth? Does it bring up what feels incomplete or did I catch you at a good moment and you feel really happy?!? Is it a state of mind? Is it something you can declare and by that declaration become?

I think it’s important to define the word for yourself. By defining a word it helps you to clarify what you believe. It’s one of those phrases like “How are you” where you go on auto pilot. You reply without even thinking. “Fine, thanks and how are you?” It’s a completely mindless exchange. So I am asking you to ask yourself the tough questions. We will never get the results we want in life if we don’t first ask the questions that make us think.
First you must ask yourself “Are you willing to do the work?”
Are you willing to be authentic even if it means being vulnerable?
Are you willing to invest in the life you have to get the life you want? (Rhonda Britton)

It’s not easy to change your life. I struggle myself with the discipline it takes to break a habit. I just know that when I was driving along the coast that I had a sense of real peace and grasp at what happiness felt like. I like it and I want more of it. I want the freedom to be that present always.

So here I am doing my work. I have been writing for 25 days in this blog and I feel empowered and humbled at the same time. I just want to be a voice that can support you having a better day, a better year or a better life. In supporting you I get so much in return. This feels like happiness to me. I learn and grow everyday and for that I am grateful!