It was right here all along

Have you ever had one of those moments when you want something, know you have it somewhere, just saw it the other day, but now that you need it, you can't find it? It's just not there?  I'm having one of those moments now.  It makes me wonder, if suddenly it is going to pop up out of the blue when I least expect it?  That is usually what happens to me. Days later, "Poof! Here it is! It was right before me all along, but it was hidden by something." 

Now I wonder why it is not there when I first wanted it to be.  Why can't life be a little simpler?

Maybe it's because we have to learn to really "see" things from another perspective before what we are looking for comes to us. Before we realize it was there all along.

Sometimes, oftentimes, people spend their lives looking for love, happiness and peace.  They want a happier life, a more fulfilling life.  Some will go through extremes, move countries, build a business empire, maybe even climb mountains, get rich and have all the money in the world in search of happiness. In search of reaching the 'solution' that would save them.  

Many work so hard they forget to look at the people besides them.  Their families, their relatives, their loved ones, or even their children. Many children are growing up with nannies and daycare centers rather than with their family.  That is modern day life.

Then one day, after all those years of searching, working, trying to find the ultimate 'solution' that would make them happy, they find that what they had been looking for was right there besides them. Maybe just there inside of them.   Why didn't they see this earlier?

For me:
Happiness is internal.
Happiness is appreciating  and being grateful for those around you.
Happiness is being able to do the things you love.
Happiness is being able to smile after just having an ice cream or chocolate.
Happiness is living life the way you want to.
Happiness is not expecting.
Happiness is being happy when others are happy.

It's like when the food critic in the animation "Ratatouille" has his favorite ratatouille dish and he is reminded of childhood days. His eyes gleam and he is transported back to happy days.
It's like when you look out the window to see leaves on a tree rustle in the wind and grass sway.  You can feel nature and its wonders.
It's like when you are just sitting on a couch watching TV with your family and happy they are all alive and well.
It's like getting excited when you first get a message or call from your crush.
It's like remembering how it felt to have your first bite of divine chocolate.

If you can look at everything around you with an open mind, like that of a child who is happy at just getting a new pencil or a piece chocolate, then I think we would all be happier human beings.

Have no expectations.

If you can look at what you have around you.  Be grateful for what you have, be happy with what is given, then you will find that life becomes a lot more pleasant.

Didn't you ever notice that many times the poor street sweeper smiles more often than the rich businessman?  Life's really a lot about what's 'inside' not 'outside.'

Yes, search nearby, inside and out before you go searching far and wide.  Maybe what you were just looking for, was right there all along.  It was just hidden from view behind that layer or dust.