I’m guilty, I admit it.  From the time I received my first gizmo as child I was hooked.  Not on that gizmo in particular, but on gizmos in general.  And it has cycled over time.  Computers.  Blackberries.  Tablets.  Anything with buttons, or nowadays the appearance of buttons.  But that isn’t exclusive, the mountains I see on the horizon during each morning’s commute also bring a smile.  A far greater one than any battery-powered goodness ever illicited.

Last week I read an article, “How to be Happy Anywhere.”  It was a wonderful reminder that people tend to get lost. While the article talks specifically about electronic devices, I think that it could easily extend to anything in a modern life.

The take home from the article, because I have to assume that this entry is compelling enough you didn’t click on the link immediately, is that people seem to be happier when their lives aren’t cluttered with the things that society tells us are important.  Electronics, tv, movies, etc., all seem to correlate to a less satisfying existance.

Ironically I read the article online.  And now I’m posting about it in a blog.  Making this somewhat akin to putting out a fire by dousing it with gasoline.

This move has been a big change in my life.  The place is busier.  The job has more responsibility.  But I am finding moments of happiness that are making the change worthwhile.  I’m not distracted by things that aren’t real.

The key to our lives is finding happiness.  Not in waiting for things to happen to make us happy, and not in artificially tying our joy to things which may be.  

So go out and be happy.  Don’t wait for it to come to you.  The waiting will make you miserable.