Happiness on the Mind

Perhaps 2011 is the year of happiness, or is it that New Year's Resolutions have been focused on happiness? Everywhere I turn it seems to me that I see books or magazine covers spouting about happiness and the pursuit thereof. Then again perhaps because I am looking to improve my contentment with life that my eyes have been opened to the happiness movement.

I purchased the most recent copy of Real Simple magazine because the sunflower and headline caught my eye (By the way I bought it before my resolution not to buy books went into effect. Do magazines count?). In the article about happiness, Gretchen Rubin and her Happiness Project book are mentioned. What really caught my attention was Marcia Menter's article, "The history of happiness." She mentioned that the Declaration of Independence states all men have the right to "the pursuit of happiness." Jefferson had it right when he wrote about the pursuit of happiness. We may or may not achieve happiness, but often the best part of life is looking for happiness and pursuing it. How many times have we pursued something only to find that the attainment of it isn't nearly as satisfying? The pursuit of happiness (or any goal or tangible item) teaches us to think long and hard about what it is we really want. Through the pursuit we may learn new skills, make new friends, and push ourselves a little harder than we thought possible. I'm looking for that kind of growth right now in my life. I desire the feeling that comes from working at something and achieving it. "Contentment - the feeling of satisfaction with one's possessions, status, or situation (Webster's)" that's what I'm pursuing right now in my life.