The excitement in his little face was almost palpable. Inside the store was the item of his dreams – The new and improved hot wheels race track. Now with double action loopty-loops. He could hardly believe his eyes, because all this was available for this onetime special offer price of just $39.99.

One could feel the energy surrounding him as he dreamed of the day he could rip open the package, and start racing his new candy-apple red dragster. Oh what joy and happiness he could have. If only he could have one for his very own.

Finally, after all his anticipation, the day arrives. It’s Christmas morning, and all the torn gift wrapping is pushed aside to make way for the new hot wheel raceway.

Little does he know that in just a few short weeks he will lose interest. His wayward attention will be drawn to other “must-have” toys. Soon, his long anticipated hot wheel tracks will lie inside his toy box, along with a pile of other discarded happiness.

For many in America, this little scenario goes on season after season. Maybe it even strikes a chord for your current situation.

Now whether we can relate or not, we all know people who seem to spend their lives chasing happiness. It lures them from job to job, relationship to relationship, and possession to possession.

Sometimes the pursuit of happiness is, by nature, a selfish endeavor. If we pursue nothing but happiness it becomes all about us – our needs, our wants, our desires, and our gains.

The problem is life is filled with many ups and downs. If our happiness is found in self gratifying accomplishments, than our life will be like a yo-yo.

Sometimes up, sometimes down, and sometimes the string gets so tangled that we have to untangle it and start all over again.

The harder we try to find happiness, the more elusive it is. This is because happiness can only be found within each individual. What makes me happy does not apply to someone else. Trying to copy what makes others happy, rarely leads to our happiness.

Happiness is not found, it just is.

According to Webster’s Dictionary, the word happy is defined as: feeling pleasure and enjoyment because of your life or situation. The word happiness is defined as: a state of well-being and contentment, or a pleasurable or satisfying experience.

I find the phrases “state of well-being” and “satisfying experience” the most interesting. Notice that the first one seems to depend on an attitude, and the other on an action.

The reason for these differences is we can all have experiences that make us happy for a time. However, happiness is an ongoing trait that’s found by learning to be happy regardless of our circumstances. In the end however, trying to define happiness can be as hard as trying to define love.

To end this article, let’s look at some lyrics from one of Queens most popular songs called, Somebody to love.

Ooh, each morning I get up, I die a little. Can barely stand on my feet… Take a look in the mirror and cry Lord what you’re doing to me… But I just can’t get no relief, Lord! Somebody… ooh somebody… Can anybody find me somebody to love?

I think this song was so popular because it’s the resounding cry of humanity. At some point, we are all looking for someone to love. However, when it comes to finding love, there is a saying that love often comes when we stop trying to find it. Especially for those who are desperately seeking someone to love. I am not sure how factual this statement is, but for some reason desperation is not typically very attractive.

The same idea is also applicable to those desperately seeking happiness. The major difference between the two is love requires someone else to be involved, and happiness is found on our own.So instead of looking outside ourselves for happiness, maybe its time to start looking within.

In the end, I believe happiness is a learned trait, because happiness is not just a feeling it’s a state of being.

Being happy is really a choice we make. It’s adapting to our situation and learning to be content and happy regardless of what we do, or do not have. Happiness may begin when we stop looking for it. Whether rich or poor, young or old, people are living happy lives all around the world, because it all starts with our attitude. So if you find yourself seeking happiness, maybe it’s time to stop looking and just start being….. Happy.