Why not?

A conversation with a friend earlier today reminded me of a message that I sent to another friend last winter. A portion of the message is as follows:

Yep, it's been one of those weeks. I tore a big hole in my leather coat, I've had a ton of tests and homework that are draining my time, the furnace is broken so my apartment is freezing, and this evening my car died (poor Lexy), yet I can't stop smiling. Something must be wrong with me. I guess I could try seeing a doctor, but they would probably just refer me to a psycho ward. Then again, a room with padded walls could really be a lot of fun! Can you imagine the types of parties we could have there?

Obviously, I don't always find myself being so upbeat about my problems, but as a general rule, I prefer being happy, and so that's how I am. Some may think the logic doesn't work, I tend to think that the logic is just higher: don't feel like you think the world is making you, feel how you want to feel.

A lot of people think they will be happy when (insert situation here). They will be happy when they are done with school, when they are married, when they die and this life is over, whatever. They will feel happy eventually. I don't think it works like that. Your life will either always be lacking something, or you will be stagnating. You are always moving towards a goal, or you are stuck where you are. You don't want to be stuck. If you are then it's time to make a decision and start moving. If your life is lacking something, then be glad that you have some direction or goal. That's progression. I believe that even when your life is over, you will still be progressing and you will still have challenges. There is no end... ever.

So, what do you do? Do you keep looking forward to that mystical finish line where you will be rewarded with lasting happiness? I hope not, it doesn't exist. Instead, we have to find joy in the journey and in the now. If you aren't happy, then what's wrong? Look inside first, realize that you can be as happy as you choose, then realize that all of your problems are just steps to becoming a better person. You aren't running into problems, you are delivering solutions. There will always be another challenge of some form, we just have to learn to enjoy it.

Am I oversimplifying this? Probably. Perhaps I just disassociate my circumstances and my attitude. It's not always that easy. Some problems are out of our hands, but they are part of life. I hope those challenges never come (they will. I guarantee it, but I can hope). When they do I will struggle, I will cry, and I will need the help of some good friends. In the meantime, I just have to make the best of what I have.