Derive happiness from a sense of purpose, enjoying the ride

Is I-49 dead in south Louisiana?
March 29, 2011
April 2: Ladybug Ball Children’s Festival (Houma)
March 31, 2011
Is I-49 dead in south Louisiana?
March 29, 2011
April 2: Ladybug Ball Children’s Festival (Houma)
March 31, 2011

An important aspect of our spiritual lives, and all phases of our lives, is learning to live totally in the present. When Jesus told us not to worry but to trust in God’s goodness, he was teaching us to be present to whatever is happening now.


We can easily convince ourselves that life will be better after we get married and have a family.

We can be frustrated that the kids consume so much of our lives and we will only be happy when they grow up. We tell ourselves that our life will be complete when our spouse gets his or her act together, when we get a nicer car, can go on an enjoyable vacation, when we retire.


The truth is, there is no better time to be happy than right now. Our lives will always be filled with challenges and tasks to be done. No matter where we are in life, we can make a choice to be happy no matter what our situation is.


Writer Alfred D. Souza put it very well when he said, “For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin, real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, or a debt to be paid. Then life would begin.

“At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life.


“This perspective has helped me to see that there is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way.


“So, treasure every moment that you have and treasure it more because you shared it with someone special, special enough to spend your time … and remember that time waits for no one.

“So, stop waiting until you finish school, until you go back to school, until you lose ten pounds, until you gain 10 pounds, until you have kids, until your kids leave the house, until you start work, until you retire, until you get married, until you get divorced, until Friday night, until Sunday morning, until you get a new car or home, until your car or home is paid off, until spring, until summer, until fall, until winter, until you are off welfare, until the first or 15th, until your song comes on, until you’ve had a drink, until you’ve sobered up, until you die, until you are born again to decide that there is no better time than right now to be happy.

“Happiness is a journey, not a destination.”

Although our currency reads, “In God We Trust,” but trust is a scarce commodity these days. We neither have it ourselves nor expect others to have trust in us. We are trapped in a “trust deficiency” that keeps us looking over our shoulders and double-checking our locks.

In a world where trust is one of our most endangered virtues and values, where can we turn to? Scripture has always been the trusted source, the divine font, of comfort and truth.

Turn to the “Trust Psalms,” like 56:3: “O most High, when I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” Or Psalm 34:8 “Taste and see that the Lord is good, happy are those who take refuge in him.”

Other scripture verses like I Peter 5:7: “Cast all your anxiety on the Lord, because he cares for you.”

Spiritual writers often speak about our journey in life as a pilgrimage. We came from God and we are on our way to God. In a real sense, we are passing through this world to our eternal home. Our happiness comes from having a sense of purpose and enjoying the ride.

Be a person of faith and vision so you can enjoy your journey.