The Pursuit of Happiness

Last night my kids and I sat down to watch the movie "Pursuit of Happyness". It has been a while since I have seen that movie, and the things I gleaned from it were very touching. Classics do that, you can review them over and over again and get something new from it every time, enriching your life and raising it to a whole new level.

I was taking notes, writing questions for myself to answer and to review in my self evaluations I hold often. I wanted to share some of them with you and some of the things I learned in creating happiness and the life we desire to live.

If you haven't seen the movie, I HIGHLY recommend you watch it :) It is a real life story of a man who pretty much loses everything and while taking care of his son, continues to pursue the happiness he hopes exist.

Ask yourself these questions -

• Do you believe that you have the power to create the life you want?
• What is happiness? Do we ever really find it or is it something we create?
• What odds are against you?
• Do I believe I can, especially when others say I can't?
• Am I a risk taker for what I want?
• Am I willing to do what it takes, at all costs?
• Am I REALLY clear on what it is I want?

Chris Gardner, the man the movie was made about, had a clear vision of what he wanted. Life threw curve after curve to him and he kept pursuing. He was COMMITTED to what he was after and he had an honorable purpose. What is your purpose?

These are the key things that will guarantee your happiness in life.

• BE committed. No matter what you may look like to others, or what comes your way, stick with the course you have chosen. 
• BE honest. Be honest with yourself about what YOUR truth is. If you don't know, being completely honest will bring your answer to you.
• BE clear. Know what it is you are going for. Direct movement will create better results vs. jumping around trying to focus on other things along with what you are wanting. 
• Be believing. Believe in yourself. Believe in happiness. Believe that you CAN.
• BE grateful. Your gratitude for everyday happenings will take you farther than the "big" things. It is by small and simple things that great things come to pass.
•  BE forgiving. Forgive yourself for mistakes or getting of course. Recognize, forgive and move forward. Forgive others for judging, criticising and even sabatoging what you are wanting to create.
• BE patient. Slow down and allow things to happen. When we become forceful to reap what we sow, we will never harvest.

I learned that happiness is not found at the end of the pursuit, Happiness is found IN the pursuit. The pursuit never ends. We will reach benchmarks that we will use to determine if we are following our dreams and how clear we are on them, but we will always be in pursuit.