Adventure #5 – Devil’s Den
Happiness isn’t a destination. It’s a journey.
First time I heard this I was watching One Tree Hill. It came out of Julian Baker’s mouth (if you don’t know who he is, just keep watching, because you haven’t gotten there yet). It literally blew me away, because up until that point I was striving for it; trying to make it to the place of HAPPINESS. All would be well in that place. No pain or sadness or waking up in crappy moods.
Once I made it to Happiness, life was going to be a piece of cake.
I hate to be the one to break it to you, but this magical land of Happiness does not exist. If you don’t agree with this, that’s okay. I’m simply just passing down what I’ve learned, because trust me when I say I’ve wasted SO MUCH TIME searching for this wonderland of Happiness.
The cold-hearted truth is that happiness isn’t a place you’re ever going to make it to and be in forever.
Happiness is making a cup of coffee and feeling satisfied for the next ten minutes until the coffee gets lukewarm. Happiness is eating a whole bag of Funyuns and half a bag of Fire Hot Cheetos (dipped in nacho cheese) with your best friend while you watch Netflix, until the junk food you just ate makes you feel like garbage. Happiness is riding with your windows down on the commute from school to home with the music blaring, until your hair keeps getting stuck in your mouth and the wind is making your eyes water.
My point here is that happiness comes in all different various forms: short, tall, weighty, light, etc…
Happiness is waking up and choosing to have a good day; choosing to be positive and laugh at a situation rather than let it bring down your whole day.
Happiness is a mood. I don’t know about y’all, but there are some days I wake up in a funk. I barely smile or interact with anyone throughout the whole day, and the only thing I want to do is sleep or hide from the world. Some days I wake up in a TERRIBLE mood. I’m talking: bite-your-head-off-I-hate-the-world mood. And then the next day I wake up in a lighter spirit, completely energized and ready for the day. Moods, much like emotions, come and go constantly based on the crap in life you’re dealing with.
Happiness is when you feel content with your life. You no longer need something or someone to fulfill your happiness. You just are content with yourself. With that being said, don’t depend on someone to make you happy. That special someone should only add to your happiness–not be the source of it. It took me a looooong time to learn this.
In reality, nobody on this planet is going to go through every. single. day happy. Just like we don’t go through every single day sad or mad. But unlike those things, when a small glimpse of happiness squeezes its way in (when someone puts forth effort to make you smile, when you accomplish something you’ve been working hard on, etc…), don’t be afraid to ravish in the feeling. Hold onto for as long as humanly possible, and strive to surround yourself with people that add to your happiness.
These last few months have been cleansing months for me.
I’ve ripped out all of the overgrown, smelly, negative plants by the roots. I cleaned out my garden, and started with a whole new perspective. Since then, I’ve only planted it with people that are true friends with heart that challenge me to be a better version of myself. To name a few things, I’ve learned to be more adventurous and loving and patient and considerate with these people in my life.
When you figure out that you’re the master of your own happiness, you’re life will drastically change into what you’ve always wanted.
You have to make it happen, though. You’ve probably heard the totally cliché quote that nothing good in life comes free. 100% true.
Happiness is brought in with alotta sweat, tears, and workworkwork.
Happiness for me is exploring different places. Getting knee deep in nature, and finding myself in complete awe of it’s beauty. Happiness for me is after I read a good book. I feel so full and satisfied. Happiness for me is sitting out on the back patio talking to my sister, dad, and mom about life while listening to my niece and nephew ride their bikes in the background. My list goes on: coffee on a rainy day; my routine when my feet hit UAFS campus (coffee, class, coffee); finding an amazing song that touches my soul and listening to it on repeat for a couple of days; a sunny day spent on the lake; deep, meaningful conversations with people; making new friends; hiking up a steep hill with my sister, laughing until we’re in tears, clutching our stomachs and hyperventilating; going on adventures with Maddie; etc…
When you find your happiness, don’t let it go. Chase after it. Hold onto it. Let it fill every inch of your soul.
There’s alotta shitty things in this world, but there’s also alotta good in the world too. You just have to get out and go find it.
I’m just going to end with this:
a. state of well-being and contentment
b. a pleasurable or satisfying experience
until next time.
Randi Garner 