What will it take for you to be happy? I think most people know to some degree what it is that brings them happiness. Is it lots of money? Is it security for your family? Is it fame or popularity? Is it being in a relationship so that you can love and be loved? Of course for most people it’s a mixture of a little bit of everything. There is actually quite a bit that would make us happy, or happier.  

So why do we suffer – why is there sadness. This is the question that every atheist in the world asks, and is usually part of their thought process to support there is no God. Why would a loving God allow so much suffering in the world? The Buddhist teach us that there is suffering because we have desire. The Christians teach us that there is suffering because it is a process. The New Age movement tells us there is suffering because there is joy, and we must have a balance; all is relative. So what is the truth? More importantly, will we ever be truly happy?  

The truth is in all of the teachings. Because we have joy and desire this joy, we have suffering and this suffering is no more or less then the joy we attain upon success of the process we experience. How can we be happy? I believe the quickest way to happiness is with acceptance. If you can accept what it is that you hold in your hand you will be happy. If you want to hold something different, then you will not be happy. Wake every day grateful for what you have, and all the opportunities that are there for you and you start to feel happiness.  

Sit down and write out your list of what it would be that would make you happy on half of the paper. On the other half of the paper write down what suffering you’ll go through to obtain that happiness. Can you do it? Will you do it? Can you accept the here and now?  

Bright Blessings ~ Richard