The Endless Pursuit of Happiness

Reflecting on my teenage years, there was a time when I really struggled. During that period everything felt so overwhelming. I was at a really low point where I felt empty and happiness didn’t seem to exist. Perhaps it was the hormonal shifts that happen in our teenage years or perhaps it was simply life. Whatever was the cause, I didn’t think I would ever be happy until one day I heard something that changed everything for me. Like many others, I found myself chasing success and happiness. This idea of “happiness” always seemed just out of reach. I thought, “I’ll be happy when I get an “A” on my math test.” After achieving that goal, I found myself needing to chase something else to feel that elusive sense of happiness again. Each accomplishment only led to the next pursuit, leaving happiness perpetually beyond my grasp. That brief moment of happiness was so fleeting, never truly fulfilling, and the hormonal ups and downs only intensified my sense of emptiness.

I’ll never forget the day when I heard a concept that completely shifted my perspective and changed my life. The concept was simple: change the definition of happiness. Woah – mind blown! I didn’t realize that we could define happiness for ourselves. I thought happiness was something that just happened to us and a feeling we experienced when good things happen. Determined to understand happiness, I spent a lot of time thinking about what happiness could mean for me. It had to be something I could embrace, something that genuinely brought me joy.

After some reflection, I realized that I loved learning new things, exploring, and testing out new concepts. So, I redefined happiness as the act of learning something new. This new definition sparked my passion for lifelong learning, which has kept me curious, growing, and ultimately seeking a better way of life for myself, and later, for my family.

Looking back, at that tender age of 16 or 18, that shift in perspective was incredibly profound, and I’m forever grateful for it. Redefining happiness and shifting my perspective saved me from a lot of heartache over the years. As a coach and energy healer, I help empower others to change their life experience. To help you navigate the pursuit of happiness, I leave you with these questions. What is your definition of happiness? How is that definition serving you? What could a new definition of happiness be for you?

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Written by Sue Rapley

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