It is important to be happy

Recently someone I've known for years has finally found happiness. She started to open up and be honest with other but more importantly with herself. "To thine own self be true" is something I've always tried to live by and it totally works.

In the long run you will never be happy or accepted for who you really are if you can't accept you and be honest with yourself as well. Be honest to yourself and with others. Don't say what is "socially acceptable" or "sugar coat" what you really mean. Say what you think but say it in a way that is mature, thoughtful and well-founded. People aren't going to always agree with you, in fact they will rarely do so, but it is up to you to let people know where you stand and hold firm to that. Be open-minded and accepting of others and differences in all people, however, once you have made your convictions don't be afraid to stand by them and give them a voice.

Overcome your obstacles and criticism. All of us as people could do well to live our lives in a way that reflects the conversation I had with my parents the other day. We spoke of friends and family and those who have passed on and my father mentioned it was important to him to be remembered well when he is gone. He spoke of people remembering him as one who "didn't complain." I thought about that and realized that in the past I found it important to say things such as, "you shouldn't care what others think about you" in an attempt to "break the mold" as it were and be adventurous. Now I find myself wanting to live my life in a manner where people do remember me in a positive way. It is said that you aren't truly alive unless you are connecting. Whether that is with someone, something or yourself. What is connecting though?

I thought long and hard about what that meant and it is left entirely up to interpretation and with good reason. Connecting means something different to everyone, or at least it is felt differently to each individual. For me it is a sense of complete excitement. The feeling that I have to scream or run around out of pure excitement. That usually happens to me when I surprise someone with something they will love or seeing a friend I havn't seen in years. It could be any number of things but it all means the same thing, be happy.

Being happy shouldn't be hard work or embarrassing, find what makes you happy and go for it. Surround yourself with people that uplift you and make you feel good. Find a job or career that excites you and you find yourself working hard at just for the sake of doing hard work. Whatever it may be for you take it and take it now.