chasing happiness?

From Twenty-Four Hours a Day, entry for November 4:

"We cannot find true happiness by looking for it. Seeking pleasure does not bring happiness in the long run, only disillusionment. Do not seek to have this fullness of joy by seeking pleasure. It cannot be done that way. Happiness is a by-product of living the right kind of life. True happiness comes as a result of living in all respects the way you believe God wants you to live, with regard to yourself and to other people."

This entry reminded me of the Coyote and Road Runner cartoon. The harder he chases after the road runner, the more pathetic the ending becomes. As he increases the ingenuity of his attempts, it merely increases the complexity of his failure (e.g.: he falls off a cliff, gets smashed by a giant bolder, and then blows up).

The harder I try to be happy, the more miserable I become. The faster I chase it, the faster it runs. It's only when I decide to stop, let go of my will, and give it to God that I can experience happiness.


Today, I'm especially grateful for ...

• being 213 days sober
• Amazingly Awesome AA buddies online and off
• my supportive family, because they understand when I spend my evenings at meetings instead of with them
• my sponsor, who has given me a bunch of work to do. I need it.
• coffee, caffeine, computer, and car
• sleep
• God, who will enable me to do everything He needs me to do