defining happiness

relatives from tarlac and my two kids who are working in manila was here in davao for a vacation. hence my abstention from posting. i had fun and it is always a pleasure when you see family members who drop by for a visit. but then, inspite of it all - catching up, talking up to the wee hours of the morning, eating as if there is no tommorrow, sight seeing and an overnight stay in an island, it didn't feel right and complete. sure, all my kids were all in attendance but where is my partner?

they say happiness is only relative. my hubby is overseas, working his ass out as always. he is being missed when special occasions arise. when was the last time we had christmas together? i can't even recall. i know i should be happy that we are all healthy, we have a roof under our heads, the kids are okay but what is happiness anyway? is it being together as a family even though you are not sure if you have something to eat the following day? is it getting by with what you have and see your kids suffer because you cannot sustain their needs? or is it just uttering the words "God will provide" amidst all the difficulties you have?

i am so thankful that the kids but one, has obtained their college degrees and they are supporting themselves for all their needs. sure it is an outmost sacrifice for my husband to be seperated from us and be by yourself just to provide for your family. the consolation and reward he gets is knowing that all of these will pass and that his being far away is not taken for granted. thanks also to all the technologies we have right now that we keep in touch almost everyday.

now back to defining happiness. there is a wonderful, mystical law of nature that the three things we crave most in life - happiness, freedom and peace of mind - are always attained by giving them to someone else. i take the comfort with the thought that when i make somebody happy then i am happy too. but i also realize that true happiness lies within one's self. i don't want to waste my time and effort searching for peace and contentment in the world outside. remember that there is no happiness in having or getting but only in giving. reach out. share. smile. give somebody a hug. happiness is something you cannot give to others without getting a few for yourself. i want to end this quoting leo tolstoy.- " if you want to be happy, be."