It is a question that you answer each and every moment of the day. What is your answer to this fundamental question? I will share my answer: to be happy. I have always felt it was the reason for our being. We are ultimately here to be happy.

Of course, it certainly doesn’t mean that I am happy every second of the day, but I always give it my best shot. Even when life gives me every reason not to be happy, I still assert my ability to be happy. You may find yourself feeling exactly the same way as I do. I think many people do.

Certainly, moments of distress and despair, misery and fear, hopelessness and unworthiness have been a part of my life. We all have these moments.  I have had bouts of loss, sadness, anger and guilt, we all do. Emotions of all kinds are a normal part of the human experience. Some are easier to deal with than others as you already know.

When I express that we are ultimately here to be happy, I am not referring to being in denial or suppressing difficult emotions. I am referring to a way of being, a perspective, a disposition that one can engage. In my mind, being happy is what we are suppose to be, and most everyone would agree that it is a favorable place to be.

To be happy may seem like an achievement or something to strive toward, however, it is something quite different than what people often believe. Happiness is an inherit part of who we are. Although it may seem elusive, happiness is abundant in supply.

Unknowingly and knowingly, we move away from happiness. On some level, we withhold happiness from ourselves. We push it aside until we deem appropriate. Often, specific criteria must be met before we will allow it to overtake us. We have rules in place that must be considered and followed before we will even think about feeling good about what is happening in our lives. Essentially, our thoughts limit the presence of happiness in our lives.

You may not even be fully aware of the criteria that you have in place—the factors that keep you from being the happy person that you long to be. Our fears, misery, misperceptions, limiting beliefs, conditioned habits and self-judgment definitely push it aside.

Truly happy people realize that achievements, people, circumstances, monetary gain, the fulfillment of goals and sources outside of themselves do not dictate whether or not they will be happy. They know that happiness comes from within.   

Happiness is much bigger than the circumstances that make up our lives. It is an inherent part of our being. We shove it aside focusing on what we find objectionable and displeasing, suppressing that which we long to experience. So seriously contemplate the fundamental question that I ask you today. If you want to be happy then let it be so. Create new criteria for yourself—be happy. You will surely be glad that you did!