Throughout history the number one question on most people’s mind is that of happiness. What makes a person happy? What is in a fulfilled person’s life compared to an unfulfilled person? What are the things that make a person depressed and what are the things that make a person joyous? In all fairness I cannot in good conscience say I have the full answer. I can, however, say what I think and have experienced to be true.

Perspective: There is an old saying. “Hunger is the best spice.” I think this humorous truism holds weight due to its simple concept. Not having makes you appreciate that which you do have. In my travels I found myself in a situation with shoes but no socks.

I don’t know how many of you have walked in shoes without sock or how long you did so but it is extremely uncomfortable. There was no greater joy then sliding those clean soft socks on to my feet after going without. I think this is an important lesson in life. Things are far more beautiful when you appreciate them.

Appreciation: Perspective gives birth to appreciation.  

Appreciation is not what you have but how you look at it. Instead of saying, “I’m tired of wearing ugly socks everyday.” One with appreciation says, “I’m glad I have socks to wear everyday.” It is simply the act of being grateful for having what you have rather then focusing on what you don’t.

I knew a young girl that was suffering from some serious health issues and she made a comment that truly moved me. She said, “Thank God I have eyes to see the leaves change.” What a powerful way of approaching life. With such an outlook how can one find reason to complain?

Stop Complaining: Complaining is by definition selfish. It is the act of looking at oneself and announcing everything that you feel should change. The real question is, however, if all your eyes are focused on is yourself how can you see the leaves change?

Love: Everyone knows the lovely Beatles song “All you need is love.” What a cute saying. Love is important, but better yet is to understand love. Love is not the warm feeling one may or may not get when they are around a person. Love is, in fact, an action. It is the willful choice to care about another person or things, condition or state, no matter what one’s own condition or state is. Again, love is not something that can be done when all eyes are pointed inward. It is impossible to see someone else’s problem if one is always absorbed in one’s own troubles.

These things may seem obvious but so often we forget the basic of life. We as a race have become wrapped in everything that doesn’t count. It is very much like Jesus said in the bible. “Clean the inside of the cup and the outside will become clean also.” Why do we worry so much about the weather that we cannot control but care little about our own inner peace which we exclusively control?