Is the pursuit of happiness the problem?

The pursuit of happiness.

Sounds like a worth while journey, but what if it's the very thing that often makes us feel lost and confused? 

While you're being anxious, you're not being happy. 

While you're being stressed, you're not being happy.

While you're struggling, you're not being happy. 

While you're in pain, you're not being happy.

When you're being sad, you're not being happy.

When you're feeling disappointed and despondent, you're not being happy. 

When you're grieving, you're not being happy.

When you're frustrated and feeling stuck, you're not being happy. 

When your world has been turned upside down, and it will be, because that's life. 

You're not being happy. 

It almost feels like happiness isn't really possible unless for just a moment... 

But fulfilment... 

Fulfilment says, 

"this is what I'm here for, this is what I'm doing... I accept there will be anxiety, stress,
overwhelm and upset. I know that life will
visit sadness and misery and grief and times
of pain and struggle. 

But THIS is what I'm doing. 

I accept they will come to me, 
they come to us all. 

Happiness is momentary like joy, but so are
the others feelings,

But that's ok... 

Because I'm doing this

And it's worth it." 

Without the downs we cannot know the ups,
we would have nothing to compare them to.

So lean into them, the ups will be so much sweeter if you do. 

I'm not saying find your purpose,
I'm saying create it, 
What are you here for?

Define it. 
Then start working for it. 
Forget about happiness.

You're here to do so much more

Don't you think? 

Ed Ley