In today’s writer’s group, we each picked a phrase on a piece of paper out of a box and that was our topic to write about. Mine was “pursue happiness”:
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We are endowed with certain unalienable Rights, and among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.
Okay, I understand what life is and what liberty is. I like the part where I have the right to pursue happiness. But how does one do that in a world that is filled with conflict, mistrust, and so much anger.
If each of us is allowed to pursue our own happiness, what happens when that pursuit or our goal of happiness, impinges on the pursuit and goal of someone else’s happiness? Did our forefathers really think this through and understand what difficulties were in place for us to achieve that right.
That sounds way too negative, so let me see what I look for in happiness and see where it fits in with where I am now. To me, happiness is the right for me to be me. I’m happy when I’m with the people I love and those that support me for who I am. I may not be the person that you want me to be, and I’m willing to make some changes if necessary to work towards that ideal for you, but I’m still me and it is my choice, not someone else’s, whether it be friend, family, acquaintance or stranger. That sounds a little bit selfish but that is what makes me happy. In most cases I try to change, so don’t picture me as a stubborn, self-centered malcontent. I’ll wait till I’m much older to become one of those.
Happiness is feeling good about yourself. Doing some of the things you enjoy with the people that like doing or talking about those things. Happiness is exploring new things. Trying to do some things that you haven’t done in the hopes of becoming a better, more knowledgeable person. Happiness is being surrounded by those you love and at times also being by yourself. Happiness is doing lots of things and also being able to do nothing at all. Happiness is being able to be empathetic and able to sympathize with others.
One pursues happiness by being open and striving to do good. It makes me happy not to argue. To accept other people’s point of view, but not necessarily to agree with everyone. To be self-reflective.
How do you pursue happiness? You don’t stop. Happiness is a goal that can be reached for moments, but something that you never reach in totality, because you can always yearn for more. The pursuit of happiness may be a right. But it is something not just given, it is something that is worked for. So keep on working in your pursuit of happiness. And hopefully, as others pursue theirs, you will meet in some place where there is no mistrust, conflict, and anger and be happy.
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