The Endless Pursuit of Happiness

This past week, I spoke to a dear friend of mine on a phone call about hard it can be to follow our hearts, when it comes to going after what we want out of this life.

Chasing my dreams often feels like a labour of love. Especially as a creative, in the early stages, when no one is giving me the audience and reception that I deeply desire, it can be depleting and discouraging, like as though what I'm putting out into the world doesn't matter at all.

It is crucial, for me to step away from it all sometimes, and reflect on why this thing that I want, whatever it is, matters to me. The journey to happiness often feels like a race without a finish line. When will I know to stop and smell the roses that have bloomed along the way?

A great man once said, "The reward is in the journey." Is it possible, that I can be happy now while waiting for the great things I hope will happen to me later on? Overtime, I have come to realize that the blessing is in the life I have now, and not the life I'm waiting for.

The present is truly a gift. The past was a strict teacher that taught lessons I am still learning. The future? God, who knows. I only pray that whatever is coming, it will exceed my expectations in the best way possible.

Happiness is not something to pursue incessantly. It is not impossible to achieve either. For me, happiness is imperfect, fleeting, and yet still ever present, within me and around me. I just have to intentionally look for it, find it, and hold onto it for as long as I can, without feeling the need to always search for more beyond what is already available to me. I choose to be happy now, simply because I can.

Isn't that so wonderful? That we can simply, choose.