Is the Pursuit of Happiness
Holding You Back?

You can’t pursue something that’s within you. Why would you search for something that you already have?

Most of us have the “I’ll be happy when syndrome”. You think you’ll be happy when:

• You’re richer
• You’re thinner
• You have the perfect relationship
• You’re retired
• You get the job
• You get the raise
• You go on vacation
• You get a bigger house
• You get the new car
• You get the degree
• Your kids are grown

This is backwards. You don’t become happy when you get these things (at least not for long), you become happy and then you get those things. This is so important. The pursuit of happiness is actually preventing you from being happy.

This was a huge Aha moment in my life. I kept achieving more and more of my goals and became more and more unhappy. What a difference this shift in thinking has made!

If you base your happiness on situations, events or things, you will only be happy when those situations, events or things go your way. What happens when you lose any of these things or they no longer hold any interest? Look within yourself to be happy.

Life is about the journey, not the destination. How many of you say you can’t wait until the weekend, until Christmas, until tomorrow? I know I’ve certainly been guilty of this many times. Are we wishing our lives away?

Be happy right now – don’t wait until the weekend!

If you have things in your life not going the way you want, it’s important to figure out a way to feel happy anyway in order to change these circumstances. Do this instead of changing the circumstance in order to feel happy.

The most amazing thing about being happy is just how simple it is. We don’t have to go somewhere or get something to have it. It’s the very small things - a touch, a laugh, a song, a sunrise, or a kind word that brings the greatest joy.

When you can string many of these small moments together - that’s a happy life.

If you want to know how to achieve happiness, just DECIDE to be happy NOW.