The Pursuit of Happiness and the Declaration of Independence

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness" The Declaration of Independence, July 4th, 1776

The declaration of independence so significantly and thoughtfully crafted, lives on. It reminds us that we, as creatures and human being on this earth, have a right to the pursuit of happiness.  Happiness is your birthright.

Yet are most of us truly, significantly, absolutely, positively happy?

Think about this- have any of these thoughts run through your mind?

"I can't be happy when there is so much suffering in the world"
 "If  I'm happy other people will be jealous"
 "Happiness is selfish"
" Happiness is only superficial"
 "Happiness is expensive"
"If I'm too happy, something bad will happen to me"

The truth is, that the state of being happy causes you to be able to give more. Especially to those who do not have it.

It is a state of mind, it is peace within yourself, outside ourself, and with the universe.We should treasure the ability to be happy and learn to eliminate these false thinking and false presumptions that is a is a definite obstacle to our own sense of fulfillment and happiness.

Here are some steps you can take restore your right to your pursuit of happiness

1. Get rid of the notion that your life will be perfect when you have found a solution to your current problems.
It is true, you have problems that need fixing. It is common thinking that if you find the right job, the right partner, or lose the right amount of weight, you will be happy. These are only part of the whole equation, and it may fill a void for awhile. Outer success and acquisition of status, job, partner, losing weight, is important and build self esteem and can prove that we have the power to change ourselves, and provides a sense of security. However, personal fulfillment and happiness also comes from the inside and involves your accepting yourself as you are.

2. Make peace with your past .
Accept you past. And the choices that you have made and the things you have done that have brought you where you are today. Yesterday is gone, you can not change it. Have no regrets for yesterday. Only intentions for tomorrow.

3.    Accept where you are today.
Do not wish you were somewhere you are not right now, unless you are visualizing and shaping something positive for yourself, and with a plan to exercise practical steps in that direction. If you feel frustrated or are not contented with where you are right now, learn to embrace your current situation enjoy it and learn from it. You will be able to attain more if you are at peace with the place you find yourself today, however distant you most clearly defined goals may appear.

4.    Make peace with the universe.
It is true, this world is not perfect. Life is often unfair. You can start to feel frustrated, and blame God and the universe. Blame is nothing more than disguised anger.

When you learn acceptance and stop blaming, only then can you move on with your life. It doesn't  matter whose fault it was. What matters is how you are going go on from here and start creating your life from where you are right now.As long as you continue to blame and live in the past, it will be a barrier to self realization, fulfillment and happiness. 

Instead, learn to be grateful for all there is and is to come in this universe and in your life. Appreciate and enjoy the beauty and awake to the awareness of the beauty, the wonders of life. The humming of the bee, the crickets in the evening, wildflowers, creatures of the universe all beautifully created,  the awesome sunrise and sunsets, the mountains, wilderness, nature, the vastness of the universe and the infinite minuteness and order of every atom, electron and vibrations … .

There is much that we do not know that we don't know.

We stand in awe.

Happiness and self fulfillment is within reach of all of us.
It is your unalienable right as a creature of the universe.

If you have happiness, even if you have nothing, you have everything.

If you own the world but do not have happiness, you have nothing.

Enjoy it.
Savor it.

Bask in it.
Share it.

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