Happiness

"We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have.” - Frederick Koenig

It seems as of late, I have been consumed with the things I don't have. And I have been unhappy. That is unfair not only to those around me, but to myself as well.

I am a blessed individual. I have a beautiful, independent, intelligent daughter, who will more than likely grow up to be stronger than I ever hope to be. I have a family, that while neurotic, sticks by each other. My parents have been married 40 years on Sunday. I have a home and a good job, and reasonable skills that would ensure that I keep said job.

And the bottom line is that I would never intentionally take away someone's happiness for my own sake. Quite the opposite is true. More than likely I will facilitate away for that person to stay happy.

Only I can decide to be happy. No one can make me happy, and I have plenty of reasons to be happy. It is not a bad thing to dream or reach for things that you want. After so many years of denying myself and ignoring my needs for the needs of others, I think its acceptable to dream and hope for things.

Growing up Catholic, I attended St. Francis of Assisi Parish. Obviously, given the name of the Parish, we prayed the prayer of St. Francis constantly in my youth. The entire prayers sticks with me to this day, as it is something I truly try to live by. But the part that really zero's in for me is this:

O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned

The prayer recognizes that selflessness is a mean to an end. By loving freely, we are opening ourselves up to joy. But it never says that we shouldn't seek to fulfill our dreams.

Today I choose to recognize and appreciate the things I have, to love others completely and to not feel selfish about the things I desire.