Happiness: What I Can Learn From My Kids

I don't care how old you are happiness is an illusive commodity. Why so? We get caught up in the idea of what life should be or how things are not the way we want them to be and therefore we lose sight of the present possibilities.  But when we really reflect, there are so many more opportunities to participate in happiness rather than be unhappy. You can choose:  a life that is hard, challenging and dark; or a life that’s vibrant, discoverable and warm.  Your emotional state is all up to you.

Everyday I re-learn how to be happy and honestly I’m even motivated to be happier because of my kids.  They show me that pure and genuine joy can be found in the smallest things.  That life’s uncertainties are not something to fear, but something to look forward to with awe and wonder.  Life is magical.  Life is fleeting.  Life is a quest. I often find myself around a corner eavesdropping on their moments of imagination to get a dose a pure joy.

My kids don't tell me they're happy, they show me.  When they are happy they sing to themselves. This reminds me that ultimately we were created to be instruments of delight; like a tuning fork vibrating love and good cheer. So many people have forgotten this because their lives have distracted them from the greatness around them.  When they are happy they hug everyone. Being happy is all about sharing that joy with others.  Happiness is a virus that you want to share because it makes you feel awesome that someone else feels awesome too. When my kids are happy they show me cool stuff.  My two year old says, “Look mommy, look. Isn’t that awesome?”.  When you’re happy you are open to discovering everything around you.  You see color more vibrantly and hear sounds more clearly.  You are satiated by the desire to be connected spiritually to life.

What moments do I live for?  When I hear a contra soprano hum of oddly mumbled, melodic narration; when I am shown another squirrel, bird or blade of grass; when my kids squeeze me and whisper something inaudible in my ear (probably I love you)... I know my kids are happy. That is what I live for.  That, makes me happy.