What is Happy, Anyway?

Life is worth the living. No matter how
many difficulties we face. Most of us
understand that, somewhere deep inside.
But anyone can get off track, from time to
time. For example, if we can't have what
we want (whatever that may be) then we
sometimes lose sight of reality, the bigger
picture, focusing only on the one sparkly
trinket we can't seem to get hold of.
It's good in all such cases to step back,
take a big breath, and shake out our
thoughts until reality can be once again
clearly seen.

Are you all bent out of shape with some
object of desire you can't seem to reach?
Why not take some time off from the
chase? Why not go out and take a long
walk? Buy yourself a giant puzzle, adopt a
dog, or buy a bicycle. Take up a new
learning challenge. Do something really
nice for someone you don't really like —
better yet for someone you don't even
know, for someone who can never pay you
back.

Doing these things may not make you
happy. But that's not the point. The point is
much simpler than that. The point, my
friend, is to get on with life. Don't lose
sight of the great gifts God has already
given you. The world around you is filled
with great and endless opportunities for
life. Why not drink deeply while you can?


— Jim Sutton