Saturday, January 4, 2014

The Pursuit of Happiness


My husband and I spent New Year’s Eve in Philadelphia.  We went in early so that we could have lunch in our favorite little corner restaurant. On our way there we passed by a tourist shop and in big red letters on the window was written, “The Pursuit of Happiness”.  It was an ‘aha’ moment for me. I had been thinking for the past week what I wanted to accomplish in 2014, and this summed it up. I think though that it definitely needs an explanation.  A goal of pursuing happiness certainly sounds selfish and self-centered! The things that bring fleeting happiness are wonderful. I received a ton of awesome gifts for Christmas and they each made me happy. Wearing pretty things makes me happy. Compliments make me happy. These things are great, but the happy that I experience is not a lasting happy. My goal for 2014 is to seek out and immerse myself in those things which will bring lasting happiness. A strong relationship with Jesus Christ, treating those around me the way Christ wants me to, caring for those less fortunate them myself the way that Jesus always did.  Wherever Jesus went, he inspired people to be more and to do more.  The joy that comes from helping those around you be the best that they can be, to know their Savior better, to accomplish things they didn’t know they could….that is a joy that stays in the heart forever. That is the happy that I wish to pursue this year and forever.