what does it take to achieve happiness? how does one get hold of such an evasive state of being? it is a lifelong search i believe. i bet that i am not alone in this line of thought.

some think that it is a state of mind. when you believe and you think you are happy, then you are. it must take a lot of effort in being satisfied with what you have. contradictory to the human element of wanting more than what you already have.

some think that another's happiness is yours as well. talk about being selfless and being blindly in love. well, maybe one can say such, but deep inside are you really happy when you feel empty?

some are superficially "happy" with material things. when they get what they want there is the feeling of overwhelming satisfaction. but does that mean you are really contented? will a big house, a fat bank account, a groovy car compensate for the laughter, the hand-fitting- yours, the love of someone to share all these blessings with?

some feel that power is the end-all of our being. a successful career, the feeling that one can rule the universe will equate to a feeling of satisfaction. but does this mean that trampling on another human being is the right path to jubilation?

some say that serving Him and others is the right path to "heaven on earth". but why is it that inspite of that, it still entails so much pain and sacrifice that you won't even feel bliss? (well maybe not in this lifetime though)

i honestly do not know the path. if there is such a way to happiness, i doubt it if there is such a map to that destination. at this point, all i can do is believe (that it is achievable), hope (that good times are ahead), and pray (that we may be guided towards this path).

it may be not an easy road to tread. it may take more time for wounds to heal. it may involve more suffering and heartbreak. but i will find it...sometime...somewhere... somehow.