“Now and then it is good to pause in our pursuit of happiness and just be happy.” -Guillaume Apollinaire
Today as I was reading this quote I realized that I have become so caught up in searching for happiness, that I’ve forgotten to be happy with where I am today. I think most of us do this from time to time. We think, if this one thing were different then I would be happy. I’ve thought this countless times throughout my life. While I was in high school it was, “As soon as I turn 18, then I’ll be happy.” During my marriage it was, “If he just gets a new job, then we’ll be happy.” After my divorce it was, “If I was married again, then I’d really be happy.” Well I turned 18 and new challenges arose; with each new job things got a little worse in our marriage; and well there are still days that I think my life would be easier if I was married again, but the thought of it scares me enough that I keep running from it.
Instead I wish I would have focused on being happy in the moment. We have so much to be grateful for. You can’t count on other things to make you happy because the more you look at the “if only’s” in life the more unattainable your happiness becomes. What if instead of looking for something else to make you happy, you were able to find happiness within? I know this isn’t always easy, but your happiness is worth it. Your children deserve a mother who is happy with who she is and where she is, even if it isn’t quite where you thought you would be. When you smile through your adversity and stop searching for happiness on the outside, you are more able to find happiness on the inside. It is there, you just have to remember to look for it.