The Shine Project!

This is a post that i found on one of my favorite blogs the shine project check it out here but seriously do it! i just couldn't help reposting it i really do just love this blog and her cause! but i felt like this post was really applicable to what i post on my blog and what i believe so enjoy!

Thursday, March 29, 2012

The Pursuit of Happiness.

I've had this real kick lately for biking; probably because I can't run anymore so

I found something to replace it that can be my new thing.

I love, love, love biking. It makes me happy, relaxes me, and let's me refocus.

Yesterday as I was biking to the forbidden store that gives me anxiety but I have to go to

so I can get mailing supplies, I passed a man who was being pulled on a wheel chair by his dog.

In fact, I see this same man almost every single day.

We exchange hellos, but that's about the extent of our passing.

Today I thought to myself I wonder what it would be like if I couldn't walk or bike anymore.

I wonder if I would be happy if I was in his situation.

The thing about this man is that whenever I see him, he's always smiling.

He just looks happy.

We're all so different in this world. I think we have to be so that things tick right.

But despite the things that make us different, there's one thing that we have in common:

We all want to be happy, and it's in our nature to do things that make us feel that

(or things that we think will make us feel that.)

What brings me happiness might be completely different from what brings you happiness.

You might hate biking but love baking (that's definitely not my happy place).

No matter what it is, our motive behind doing a lot of things that we fill our time with

is to feel happy. I don't think people wake up in the morning and say,

"Today! Today is the day I'm going to be completely crabby, whiny, and sulk around!"

But sometimes that's how things end up.

There are a lot of influences in this world that make us think certain things will make us happy.

Money, fame, a nice booty and a flat stomach, that red purse you want so bad, and that cruise

to Mexico that you'll put on your credit card if you have to lure us into this idea that happiness comes

from tangible things that can be gained or taken away.

I call these artificials. These are the things that artificially make you happy, and last for about a minute,

and then when the fun wears off you are left feeling worse than you did in the first place.

I personally know a man who has all the money in the world, and is the most miserable

human being that I have ever met in my life. I also know a sweet mother who gave up everything

to stay home with her kids, financially struggles month to month, but is genuinely happy.

I'm pretty sure that I'd rather live in a box and be completely happy, than have everything and be miserable.

But that's a whole different topic.

Sometimes we are so focused on getting a certain job, or buying a specific home, or advancing in school

that we sell ourselves short of all the joy we could be feeling right now. Sometimes we look so far

ahead to future happiness, that we miss out on what's currently taking place. And because our thoughts

are so focused on being happy in the future when we finally reach a big goal, it becomes

easy to forget that life can bring any happiness at all.

In your pursuit to find happiness, pause for just a moment. Take a deep breath, look around,

and be happy. It doesn't have to be this distant thing that you think about but can never touch.

You can feel it everyday. Whether you can't walk or you have the ability to run a marathon,

no person is exempt from the feeling that we were created to feel.

This life wasn't made for us to be miserable. It feels like that sometimes, but if you really really

step back and look around you, happiness is there. Go tell your favorite person that you love them

or surprise the kid next door with a treat and then tell me that I'm wrong.

Keep smiling.