Joy

How do you define happiness?

We all hear repeatedly of society's materialism, excessive consumerism, and need to fulfill material desires in order to find emotional peace. Obviously, we have long established that happiness does not stem from material possessions alone.
Then perhaps it comes with belonging, acceptance, and love. Or maybe with self confidence, power and success.

But then, maybe not.

Happiness is the pure wonder of existence. The inexplicable tears that erupt when a beautiful song plays and the look of awe as we see the stars spread before us for the first time are happiness. The moment we realize the profound beauty in every breath we take and the striking complexity of the universe whirling around us to make life possible, we realize happiness.

The ability to look at the same thing twice and see something different, to laugh again and again at the same old joke... these little marvels constitute the magic of the human experience. The blissful interlocking of human consciousness, of compassion, pride, and strength defines our existence and allows it to continue.

We each have our little pocket of joy buried within us, and we can find it surprisingly easily. Just look one more time, breathe, and think. Live simply to live and to experience the art of living. For once, put aside manmade social, political, and material constructions and reach out to touch the universe.  In these overly competitive times, we may forget the magic of every moment, but if we just take the time to wonder, it will all come flooding back. If we all endeavor to fight a little less and live a little more, our pocket of joy will find us.