Cultivate Your Happiness

"Happiness must be cultivated. It is like character. It is not a thing to be safely let alone for a moment, or it will run to weeds." - Elizabeth Stuart Phelps, writer and women's rights activist

People find happiness in different ways. We are unique individuals and so happiness comes to different people through different avenues. This quote reminds me that I cannot expect happiness to come and find me. I must focus on cultivating my happiness each day.

I used to think that happiness would be mine if I had the "right" job, husband, children, or parents. I also thought that I could be happy if I just had "more" money, clothes, shoes, or other expensive possessions. Somewhere along the way, I began to realize what is referred to in the quote above - my happiness is in my journey. As I focus on helping others, building a life-coaching business, and spending time with good friends, my happiness just grows and grows and grows. When I get complacent, I would have to say the "weeds" creep in very quickly. They appear in my attitude, my anger, and my sarcasm. I know today that it is not safe for me to sit back and wait for good things to come my way.

I've learned that I find my joy in my daily journey. I never know who I'm going to meet or what is going to need to be done that might just help someone in an important or special way. My job is to focus on living in the present moment. My happiness depends upon me doing this every day. I may not do it perfectly but it is my goal at all times.

Today I will cultivate my happiness by showing kindness to others, helping where I can, and giving my best efforts in every job I am given. Today I will not allow any weeds to grow.