Simply Happy

Living life more simply... it sounds almost scary. Simple seems like almost not enough. I mean, what words to we attach to simple? Plain, minimal, only the most essential... maybe boring. But maybe living simply doesn't have to mean living in a hut in a jungle somewhere. Living simply doesn't mean having to be completely devoid of human civilization for two years like Thoreau did. I just think that there comes a time when people begin to consider what are essential contributors to their happiness. 

I think that a lot of times people's happiness becomes misconstrued. There's superficial happiness which is happiness from the exterior or when you're expected to be happy. You smile with your co-workers about your raise at a job you hate. Drug addictions lead to superficial happiness. You're betrayed by the feeling they give you, but in the end they're just leading you to isolation and depression. There's achieved happiness where your efforts pay off with great rewards. Working hard at that job supplies you a generous income, which in turn buys you your first home. And there's pure happiness. I believe that pure happiness is God-given. It is clean and free of impurities. It cannot be effected by status or by any other societal standards. When a mother gives birth to her child and sees them for the first time, that is pure happiness. God gave her an amazing gift and with that insurmountable joy. It is unaffected, and it is automatic. You don't have to think about it, it's just there inside of you. Your soul is alive and singing. Genuine. 

Pure happiness is simple and free of complications. Whenever I hug my mom or dad, that for me is pure happiness. No matter what outside force affects me, those hugs will remain untainted. Whenever I sit down to write like this, I'm enthralled and joyous with inspiration. I'm using God's talent that he gave to me (my own gift, much like the mother's child). 

So, back to simplicity. Simplify, simplify, simplify. Those were Thoreau's famous words. Living in a house that could fit five families inside of it doesn't achieve pure happiness. Addictions surely don't lead anywhere good. Even seemingly not harmful addictions like television can stray you away from happiness. We just need to cut out these obstructions that get in the way of living life happily. 

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