HAPPINESS - Where Are You?

Happiness is the by-product of something else. It cannot be pursued or hunted down. There is not "key to finding happiness". It's not like money or an advancement at work or cutting the grass. Happiness comes when something else happens.

What is that something else? 

When we seek the if-then construct, we are setting ourselves for failure. As in, if I lost 25 lbs. I will be happy, or if I make more money, I will be happy. This if-then is exactly what doesn't work. 

What works is the journey. The outcome from the journey or the process is never predictable. So that throws the if-then logic right out of the window. 

However, you CAN predict the process with reasonable accuracy. And this is very, very exciting. You can plan to mow the lawn but you can't guarantee the lawn gets cut. The mower might break, you might be drawn to something else, or the blades may be dull. So what is predictable about that?

The process. The working at and not the working towards. When I started a raw food diet, I didn't know what was going to happen. I was told I would lost weight, gain more energy... but I really didn't know. So I decided to enjoy the process. 

And I picked out vegetables that I thought would go great in my VitaMix. And I got a big ol' raw beet and pared some of the skin and put that in too. And flax seed. And some of my favorite 100% juices. And who would have guaranteed that my drink would be great tasting? No meeee. But it was.

And I did in fact lose weight. And I did enjoy increased energy. Then what? No what - it's just a great process, everyday! I cut out my cabbage, my broccoli, my beet, my carrots, my sprouts... it's a BLAST! The process is a BLAST! And this enjoyment of the process brought me happiness. NOT THE RESULT. That was very, very nice - but the process has never lost its luster. Its joy. Its power. 

When I decided to grow sprouts for the first time, I found the process is exhilarating. How do I know? Isn't the result wonderful? Well, I just don't know. Because I haven't finished yet. And I started a blog to help others grow sprouts. The process has held so much joy for me. And the result or outcome is still uncertain. 

I can plan, hope, dream, pray - you name it. But I can't guarantee anything but the process. And THAT'S where Happiness is. 

So my advice: PURSUE THE PROCESS. Joy lives there. Happiness comes from that. The outcome is virtually irrelevant. 

And that's how I live IN THE MOMENT.

It's not an If-Then world, it is a joyful world of doing, experiencing, living and loving and connecting and singing and giving.