Are You Happy? Really?

"Listen with your heart… for it houses the secret whispers of your Soul."n - BwnnWhat is happiness? nnIt’s a feeling, as Webster describes it “…a feeling of pleasure, contentment or joy; feeling satisfied that something is right or has been done right.” nnWhere does this happy feeling come from? nnWe often believe that getting more of the status quo “good things” in life will make us happy – a new car, a bigger house, the perfect relationship, a better job, more money. But these illusive objects more often keep us in a state of dissatisfaction because our focus is on getting more and more or bigger and better. nnWe can also get caught up in more immediate pleasures like successfully losing a few pounds, eating a double-scoop ice cream cone, or the relief of feeling healthy after getting over a head cold. But these transient satisfactions disappear if the pounds come back, after the ice cream’s gone, or when the sniffles return. If our happiness is determined by such fleeting items, we must always be on the look out for new things to keep us happy.nnThere is, however, another form of happiness that is available to all of us – a deeper happiness that renews and sustains us. It’s the happiness that comes from within when we are aligned with whatever it is in life that we find personally fulfilling and meaningful. This internally based happiness is not dependent on outer circumstances or things – it depends on ourselves.nnThis deep inner happiness is a natural by-product when our thoughts, our words and our actions are in complete harmony with each other. But that means spending some time alone with ourselves, examining our values and our beliefs, and answering the questions, “Who am I?” and “What do I really want?” nnThese are the first steps toward building an individualized life of meaning and purpose. They create a road map for our lives giving us direction, much like a mission statement gives direction to a company. With this self-knowledge in hand, we are free to dream, set goals and make daily decisions that are inline with our ultimate desire – to live an authentic, meaningful, happy life.