"Happiness doesn't exist on the far side of distant mountains. It is within you, yourself. Not you, however, sitting in idle passivity. It is to be found in the vibrant dynamism of your own life as you struggle to challenge and overcome one obstacle after another, as you clamber up a perilous ridge in pursuit of that which lies beyond."   ~Daisaku Ikeda

Wow this just strikes me as a perfect concept. Happiness is not in the absence of struggle, it's in the midst of struggles.

I hear ALL THE TIME from people... I tell them I am HAPPY, like REALLY happy. What do I hear back? "If I were you'd I'd be happy too. You have a great life, and everything is easy for you." Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha hahahahahah hahahahahahahaha  riiiiiiiight.  If you want to share struggles, we can, but to be honest its all in how you see those struggles. You will not find me sitting, going on and on with someone about all the things that are challenging right now in my life. Why? I will however sit with you and go on and on about all the wonderful things going on in my life. Why not?

I love the way Ikeda takes it to such an extreme level. It's not being 'just ok' when things are hard, its finding inner happiness when you are facing situations, one obstacle after another up a perilous ridge... He's making it so clear that Happiness is NOW! Not after you make it there and get to see what's beyond, not after you are past the struggles but right NOW, DURING these struggles in our lives.

A Course In Miracles has numerous lines pertaining to this as well, but one that sticks out to me right now is clearly "Seek not to change the world, but to change your mind about the world"

Abraham channeled by Esther and Jerry Hicks has said numerous times "It is our promise to you that you cannot have a happy ending to an unhappy journey, it cannot be."

I think accepting this concept is exactly what made me so happy. My happiness is NOW. It doesn't depend on what is happening on the outside, because it comes from the INSIDE. If you ever catch yourself feeling like "I'll be happy when..." try to bring yourself back to the present moment. Try to remember that right now, in the one second, everything is exactly as it is supposed to be. Know that the Universe is unfolding in perfect harmony with your life and that nothing can ever be anything other than perfect. Accept life as it is now, and find your inner peace.

What are we seeking, things, or feelings? It goes like this:

"If I had more money then I'd be happy"

    - Ok well why would money make you happy?

"Money would make me happy because I wouldn't have to worry about paying my bills and I could feel safe and secure."

    - First off there's a myth in that thinking... A myth that says you NEED to worry about anything... as if worrying will make it go away. Worrying will only make it deeper rooted in your mental reality. And secondly, if you felt safe and secure you'd be happy? Great, then feel safe and secure now. That's a feeling that comes from the inside, and YOU are the only one that has control over how you feel? Right? I mean feelings come from the INSIDE of you, not the outside.

I think if we can learn to go deeply into our thoughts and really question the logic that runs our lives, we can get to a place where happiness just feels natural and easy. The only thing that needs to change for this to take place, is the way you view your world and the thoughts you decide to believe.

That being said, I'd like to get some coffee now. I love you guys!!!

XO