Some people seem to be naturally happy. Others seem to be perpetually miserable. For some, no matter what happens, they seem to always manage with as little damage as possible while others seem to always receive the eye of the hurricane and its consequent catastrophic destruction. It appears that some seem to attract the worse to themselves while others almost seem to have a protective shield around them which wards off impending disasters and attracts positive and good things. Is this possible? Is it just luck or just some random occurrence that has neither rhyme nor reason? The rational mind goes around in quick, little circles trying to find answers to these kinds questions hoping that, with a bit of logic, and some deep understanding, it can put life’s journey on a smooth, paved, superhighway completely free from bumps, hairpin turns, unpredictable detours and all other sorts of obstacles. Happiness is elusive.

To understand what happiness means, we should first realize and accept that happiness is a function of our minds. Period. Happiness has nothing whatsoever to do with external events, surroundings or situations. It is independent of things outside of ourselves. Heavy, isn’t it?

Of course, we all think otherwise. We think that external things bring happiness, that the more we acquire or experience, the happier we will be. We have to do more, have more, and experience more. This is definitely not true. There is no happiness in anything outside of ourselves. (I can hear the groaning and the "yea rights!") The apparent happiness that comes when we attains desired objects, etc. is purely a function of the mechanics, filters, or predilections of our minds.

This is easily proved by taking a look at what "makes" different people happy. Some are ecstatic, for example, over certain musical groups. Other people can’t stand these same groups. Obviously, the happiness (or ecstasy) could not be in he groups themselves. It must be in how each individual perceives the group. The same thing could be said for food, friends, geographical regions, and almost everything else we encounter in our daily lives. We can conclude from this that if happiness were in these external things, whoever experienced these things would also find that happiness. Conversely, we can also conclude that if external things were the source of happiness, very poor people, those who have absolutely no material wealth would never be happy. We know from experience that this, too, is not true.

Contentment is the real key to happiness. To be content with whatever we have, with whatever situation we happen to be in is the secret to happiness. Contentment is a virtue that gives one peace of mind. In the search for happiness, nothings gives greater results than contentment.

Here’s a tough exercise for you to work on: Try to always be contented with whatever happens to you. Watch the mind; watch the mechanics it goes through in this attempt. Don’t give up; success is golden.

Intellectually, we can understand that what God (or the universe) has chosen for us is better for our growth and evolution than what we would choose. It is, however, difficult for us to see how our present experiences fit into the grand scheme of our lives when we are so caught up in our own lives. We can’t see the forest; the trees are in the way.

Happiness is not something grandiose, but it is actually something rather simple, something which consists , not is possessing much but in being content with what you possess. If you want little, you then you will always have enough.

As your wealth increases, then so your cares, worries and anxieties increase. Sounds a bit un-American? Think about it. How has this worked in your own life.

Somehow, we have been conditioned from birth to think that there is a correlation between wealth and happiness, that the more one acquires, the happier one is. If this were the case, the very wealthiest people would lead the happiest, most harmonious lives. The wealthiest would experience no divorce, no mental anguish and no mental turmoil. There would be no problems in their lives. They would be saints! Even with so many examples continually coming to us in the media, we somehow tenaciously cling to this notion that wealth brings happiness.

If you are not contented with what you have, you will definitely not be contented with what you would like to have. The bottom line is that real happiness is independent of our external influences. Happiness is a function of our own minds. If you’re not happy, don’t change what is outside; change what is inside.

New Directions for Better Living