Benjamin Franklin pointed out that, "The U.S. Constitution doesn't guarantee happiness, only the pursuit of it. You have to catch up to it yourself."
A lot of us pin our happiness to external factors: if only we had more money, or a better house, or whatever your latest "want" is, but your happiness has been -- and always will be -- right inside yourself.
On a trip a man was making conversation with the taxi driver, asking him the usual questions about how he came to live where he lived. Then I asked him a hypothetical question: "If you could live anywhere in the world -- and if money was no object -- where would you live?"
Without hesitating even for a second, he replied, "I live in my heart. So it really doesn't matter where my body lives. If I am happy inside, then I live in paradise, no matter where my residence is."
It was humbling and he then felt he had asked a foolish question. Of course the taxi driver was right -- happiness is an inside job. This story reminded me of something I already knew, but had forgotten. If you can't find happiness inside yourself, you'll never find it in the outside world, no matter where you move. Wherever you go, there you are. You take yourself with you.
To find out who you are when nobody else is watching may give you an indication of your happiness factor. To understand where you are from, why you are here, and where you are going is the true beginning of understanding yourself. Seek peace and spirituality in your life and you will be closer. To know God and His Son, Jesus Christ, is the key to happiness for therein lays joy, peace, contentment and happiness.
I am grateful for the wisdom of that taxi driver. And I'm grateful for all the wisdom others have shared with me about how to be happy. I am grateful for friends that helped me to see and feel the Holy Spirit, to know our Father in Heaven and His Son.