Chasing Happiness?

CHASING HAPPINESS?
“One is happy as a result of one's own efforts, once one knows the necessary ingredients of happiness — simple tastes, a certain degree of courage, self denial to a point, love of work, and, above all, a clear conscience. Happiness is no vague dream, of that I now feel certain.”-George Sand-19th Century female French novelistr
I came upon a part of this George Sand quote in one of my daily readings and in exploring who George Sand was, came upon the whole quote.
It certainly gave me a jolt to think and ponder; after all, do most of us not spend our lives chasing “HAPPINESS”?
Happiness is not an accident. If we learn how to truly look for it, we will find it within. It’s the how to find it that is a problem to many.
Inside of us is a small quiet voice, a part of us that we often learn to ignore. Whether we like it or not OR vehemently deny it, there is a spiritual component that is part of each of us. A part of that element is love-for self and others.
This voice, when heard, speaks of care and loving. It will never tell us to hurt ourselves or others. It is, in part, a higher power that dwells within, a higher power we can call love.
There is a skill that I had to learn to locate and have conscious contact with this voice within. It was not easily learned; I had to be coached through the process until it became a regular part of a new balanced approach to daily living. The happiness I’ve gained is a result of my own efforts and to reach that state of having a clear conscience. As Sands says, happiness is no vague dream; it is part of my life today. Happiness has not been an accident but a discovery by choice.
So are you chasing happiness in all the wrong places and have no real idea of what it feels like and where to find it? You DO have the key within.
Happiness is not an accident. It comes from finding the undeniable spiritual (not religious) voice. I’m truly glad to have found it. (www.hopeserenity.ca)
Another Sands quote to close:
“There is only one happiness in this life, to love and be loved.”
George Sand