"The Myth of Happiness"

Society has sold us a story of what it means to be happy. This picture will look different to you than it does to me, but I believe most of us have bought into the idea that having a 9 to 5 job, good husband/wife, a few kids and a decent sized home will lead us to the "pond of pleasure". Gratitude is important yes. Entire movements have now been spawned by the idea behind gratitude, so I understand the importance of being thankful. More and more we are constantly reminded of how blessed we are if we somehow managed to accomplish society's guide for happiness. I'm not sure who gave society the blueprint on how to live our lives, but "society" teaches us that in order to be HAPPY, we need to acquire A B C and D. What happens if B and D are missing? You see where I'm going?

My thoughts on happiness is not a revelation. I'm sure many writers, thinkers, bloggers, philosophers - whatever we call them these days have opined about what the true meaning of happiness is. Does happiness mean to love fully? Does it mean to marry the love of your life? Does it mean finding the perfect job? Having children when you want them and how you want them?

Liz Galloway wrote a wonderful piece about "What we got wrong about Happiness" in the latest issue of yoU Magazine and it got me thinking about the myth of happiness. I think this idea or plan that's been sold to us and we've blindly purchased, got it all wrong. In fact, it's the PLAN that has us all twisted up inside, seeking answers as to why our hearts aren't fulfilled despite the picture perfect life.

Here comes the personal part. My life was seemingly picture perfect. From the outside looking in: a so-called glamorous job as a television News Anchor. My husband, former NFL player and successful business owner. A nice home along the Wasatch Front in Utah and plans to have a family soon. It's just SO PERFECT! Writing and reading it makes me beam with excitement. But my inner voice gnawed at me - the realization that I was stressed and on the brink of what felt like a nervous breakdown saddened me. I was no longer happy or fulfilled as a TV News Chick. But why? Why oh why? It's so perfect! "It looks so perfect", I said to myself. But something else, something bigger was calling my name. Happiness.

And that's what I mean about the MYTH of HAPPINESS. Happiness doesn't all of a sudden hit you when you've executed society's blueprint for life. No, no, no ...not at all. Happiness is not made up of external things. You have to dig deep and connect with yourself in order to find the true meaning of what happiness is to you. And people will be puzzled ...mystified by your decisions, especially if you deviate from society's plan. How dare you? But when I am met with those who seem bewildered ...I remember these wise words by Robert Frost. "Two roads diverged in a wood, and I, I took the one less traveled by. And that has made all the difference."

So remember that. Sear that sentence into your mind, far enough to where it's etched in your memory. For when "that" feeling gnaws at you, someone or something out there is trying to tell you something.

And it's that inner voice - the one I now intuitively listen to instead of packing it away in a rusted box, that is leading me to happiness.