Remember the happy moments. Times when we were favoured, fortunate and successful. The blessings and miracles. Believing that everything will be all right. The road to happiness is guided by good thoughts of the past, present and even future. The choice is ours.
Wizard of Oz
Recently I took my granddaughter to see the Wizard of Oz play. We were favoured. We had the best seats in the house on the second mezzanine level close to the stage. She kept her eyes directly focussed on the acting on the stage all throughout the performance. She even stood for part of the time to get the best view. She was engaged. We were happy.
This classic story never loses its enchantment. As I immersed myself in the mystics of the fable, my sense of childhood brought me happiness. Isn’t that what it is….carefree living. Making memories and sharing the joy of story with our loved ones. Remembering.
The road to happiness is blocked with obstacles along the way. Fellow travellers with Dorothy and her dog, Toto, were the scarecrow, tin man and the lion. Each one had needs and wanted to be happy.
The dictionary defines happiness as 1)”the quality; 2)state of being happy and good fortune, pleasure, contentment, joy”. People want to experience contentment. What constitutes pleasure for one may be different for another. Being happy with gadgets versus being with people. It’s all relative.
Can We Measure Happiness?
I am sure there are many ways to know the level of joy people experience. Facing life with an attitude of gratitude increases contentment. Accepting where we are in life is the first step to a happy life. It’s not measured by stuff. We can fill the void in our heart with so many things. Search for fulfillment is part of the human condition. We want to be happy. Some seek it in success, money, power, drugs, sex, relationships, etc.
What’s captivating about the story? The characters are seeking the Wizard’s magic. People want to escape reality or seek adventure. Dorothy wanted the Wizard to help her, and didn’t realize she had the power within herself to get home. All she needed was to tap her magic shoes. The miracle would happen. The Scarecrow wanted a brain. All he had to do was read books to be smart. The Tin Woodman wanted a heart. He just needed some oil to soften up his hard heart. The Lion wanted courage. He had courage because it takes courage to ask for it. They were all searching for contentment of home.
“There is no place like home.” L. Frank Baum, Author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
Often we look for joy from outside of ourselves hoping that someone else will make us happy. We think if we change locations, get education, get more stuff, or get new friends we can be happy. Sometimes these are needed, but we need to look within. Our attitude dictates the level of our happiness. We can always find reasons to be thankful.
Following the yellow brick road to Emerald City was no easy task. Dorothy had an encounter with the bad witch along the way. She met needy people who joined her along the journey. Just the same, there are many road blocks in life. But they are meant to help us grow.
Happiness From Inside Out
In the end, we find that all the power lies within. Happiness comes from the inside out. Not from the outside in. It’s not in the external situations, or in things, or in people, but when we find contentment, we are truly happy. Allow good things to fill our thoughts by trusting God to transform us from the inside out.
“People are just as happy as they make up their minds to be.” (Abraham Lincoln)
Things may bring a moment of happy feelings, but faith in the work of the Cross will bring us lasting joy. We rejoice with the knowledge that one day will have eternal life. Then the journey will end in a happy ever after.
What brings you happiness? Remember the good and give thanks. Leave a comment.
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