Eternal Radiance

The daily writing prompt for today is the frequently asked question: “What does happiness look like?”

Happiness is an emotion, or state of being, that is so often disregarded and taken for granted. We frequently allow ourselves to get caught up in the stresses of our every day lives that we completely forget to just take a moment to appreciate the here and now. I feel this way because I know for certain I am guilty of this. I have always been a natural-born type-A personality with the ability to stress at the drop of a hat. I also; however, know the importance of taking a step back and just admiring the beauty of all the wonderful things that not only surround me, but can be found within me.

As I know we all have different views, I know for certain that we have different opinions as to what we think happiness looks like. I’d like to list of some of the ways in which happiness presents itself to me.

First and foremost, happiness is being surrounded by the ones that you love. I know family and friends can get on your nerves at times, but in the end, being around everyone that means the most to you brings nothing but joy in my opinion. I love the holidays for this reason, but believe I need to take more time out of my daily life to visit with friends and family more.

Secondly, as someone that loves comedy and awkward moments, I feel that laughing until your belly aches and tears come streaming down your face is one of the absolute best feelings in the world. Not only are you releasing all sorts of endorphins, but you are also boosting your immune system at the same time. I don’t think I can find anything bad about this. I am at my happiest state when I am laughing with others. Some of my most fond memories are those that I shared with my close friends and family laughing about something completely and utterly random. I personally believe that’s what got me through much of the high school days way back when.

Next, on a more aesthetic front, happiness to me is lounging in a warm bubble bath; the bubbles dancing across my skin, the lights dimmed, and not a sound to be heard. It is becoming engulfed in a really good book. It is the taste of that first cup of hot coffee in the morning. It is the feeling of the seasons changing and the sun shining on your face or the brisk winter wind kissing your neck.

Lastly, and more importantly, there is “unadulterated” joy. These can be moments in which there just are not adequate words to describe how truly happy you are. IE: hearing your baby’s heart beat for the first time, graduating from college, walking down the aisle at your wedding, seeing the love of your life for the first time. The one thing these all have in common is that warm, fuzzy, almost high sensation.

I want to seek out happiness more in my life because it is so easy to get caught up in the everyday, monotonous hustle and bustle. This world can be such a negative place, and I don’t want to become someone that has given up. I want to live in the moment, cherish my life, and love those around me with the deepest passion imaginable. All of this begins with one simple thing: happiness.