"Our greatest happiness in life does not depend on the condition of life in which chance has placed us, but is always the result of good conscience, good health, occupation, and freedom in all just pursuits" - Thomas Jefferson
I saw this quote and wanted to share it with everyone. After all Jefferson was one of those who wrote that one of the fundamental rights of all people is the right to pursue happiness. Happiness, and the right to pursue it freely, to Jefferson was what distinguished a free society from one which was not.
One of my goals in life is to maximise my happiness every day. Every minute spent on being happy is one less minute spent on not being happy or content.
Sadly too many embrace being discontent or dissatisfied instead of finding out what makes them happy. What makes us happy is something only we know. But in our pursuit of happiness we should never ever tell another that they have no right to be happy or that their dreams are not worth pursuing.
Jesus was so right when He said to be first in His kingdom we need to be last in our lives. Does this mean we will never achieve happiness because we place others first? Not at all, in fact Jesus was telling us how to be happy and content. By learning and understanding Him we would learn and understand what makes us happy.
Just look at Philippians 4:8-9 for further proof:
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
9Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
Surely finding peace is finding happiness. We can all start our pursuit of happiness anytime we want. We can start fulfilling a dream anytime we want. We will be faced with setbacks, doubters and words of negativity from ourselves and others but we know that with God anything is possible. The impossible just takes a little longer!
So don't wait for the New Year to start something new and joyful. Start that journey and may you one day really understand what Jesus, and Jefferson, knew all along.
God Bless
