What does happiness mean to you?  There’s a lot of searching going on these days for the elusive emotion of “being happy” - where do you find it, how do you create it, can you keep it, even what it actually is!

But I’d like to share a little secret with you -- happiness is not just for a lucky few who were born with it. You see, happiness is not something you can reach out and touch or put in the refrigerator and take a sip when you need it.  Happiness is not found on a beach in Hawaii (really!) or in a perfect body.  It’s not even in that perfect relationship that rom com stars try to sell us in the movies. 

Yet, from the images bombarding you every day, it’s easy to make the mistake that happiness will arrive on your doorstep when you have the latest car, the best clothes, a fancy home, isn’t it?  It’s easy to get caught in the trap of thinking that if you could just find the right person, they’d arrive with a box of happiness attached to his/her hip and that's it: happy forever. 

But all this does is convince you that happiness is something to be found outside of yourself. And that’s where you get off track. 

The secret is that happiness is simply a by-product of creating and living a life that works, where you live authentically as yourself and in alignment with your personal values, on your own terms. A life that you enjoy - whatever that looks like.  Happiness comes from doing what you want, where you want to do it, with whom you want to do it with.  

You see, happiness starts by believing you have control over your life; and grows by making choices that will give you a sense of well being and contentment.  Happiness comes from deciding that you will go to school for 8 years if that’s what it takes. That you will organize your life until you can afford to move. You won't work your way up the corporate ladder because that's what it seems like you're supposed to do but greater responsibility feels like a burden rather than a gift. Happiness comes from you deciding who to hug, how much to smile, what music you listen to, and who you hang out with.  

Happiness is about making the best choices you can about who you spend your time with, how you make your living, how much you learn, what you put into your body.  Because when you feel good about the space you’re in, when you’re with people you admire and respect and they admire and respect you, when you’re working on a project that’s meaningful to you - happiness will shine right through. And that’s no secret. 

Decide today to stop chasing happiness, and instead choose three things that you love to do, that contribute to your feeling of well-being and satisfaction.  Schedule time for them, every day if possible, every week at least! It doesn’t have to be for a long time, just 10 minutes a day will help you start creating the happiness in your life that you’re looking for.  Guaranteed.