"What Right Have You to be Dismal? You're Rich Enough"

This simple quote from Charles' Dickens' classic story, "A Christmas Carol" never really touched me until today. Truly, what right have I to be dismal? We have so much in life to be grateful for, and it's so easy to take those things for granted. All too often, little stumbling blocks in our path cause us to lose focus on what is truly important.

 

Over the past few months, I have lost my focus many times. My perspective often became distorted and at times I forgot about all the good in my life. I have so much to be thankful for! When I slow down and truly allow the weight of the love, beauty and all around good that surrounds me to penetrate my heart, I realize that I don't need to pursue happiness. I live in happiness.

 

Above all, I am blessed to be able to call the most amazing people family. I am married to a man who I am convinced loves me better than any other man has ever loved his wife. His unending support and patience for me is humbling. I am surrounded by three incredible children that bring with them an entirely new depth to my joy. They love me unconditionally, even on my crabby days when I don't get enough sleep and I look like a frump. They don't care! I am their mommy and they love me.

 

There is also a fun loving mob of 28 more parents, siblings, nephews and nieces that bring light into my life, I have a roof over my head, my husband and I both have jobs that are stable, friends that know what to say and how to listen, good health, talents (along with the opportunity to increase those talents), life's lessons learned and those yet to be experienced, and a testimony of Christ's Atonement.

 

I'm done with the pursuit of happiness. I'm ready to be happy. Today and every day. I'm ready to try new things and add rich new experiences to my life. Though there may still be days that I forget to see all that is around me, I am determined to move forward, making my life a positive addition to the world. I'm starting today to do and be better. To love and accept myself for who I am (and to invest the time and energy to find out who exactly that is).

Forget pursuit. Just be happy.