Pursuit pur·suit - Striving to gain or accomplish something.

The pursuit. What are we all pursuing? I have been sitting with this question for a while. It takes a decent amount of thought, effort and emotion to truly pursue something. Are we all cruising through life as one captain of a very large ship only to see we are pursuing different ports? Perhaps our unity holds a conceivably greater connection than one can imagine. Our pursuits possibly interlaced into a concentrated statement so elegantly familiar to us called, “The Pursuit of Happiness”. I’m motivated to unscribe this phrase, to clarify the inner mystery of such a mighty statement.

The idea of the “Pursuit of Happiness” was introduced in one of the most important documents created by the United States government when the first 13 colonies separated from Great Britain in 1776.

This compelling phrase was released onto the country through the Declaration of Independence as one of our unalienable rights. It sounds so effortlessly attainable. It deserves a deeper look into the profound weight this statement carries. I believe this expression holds a greater, more powerful meaning than anyone could have ever imagined. By declaring in words that we all have the right to pursue happiness, it presents a sense of entitlement to a person that perhaps prior to this declaration, one believed to be unattainable. Could it be possible, prior to this day, the people were pursuing something, but as a collaborated group they were all under the mindset that achieved happiness was not a pursuable possession? This proposal of happiness bellows a silent significance as if people seemingly thought happiness was unattainable. As you read the phrase, there is an instantaneous sense of righteousness attached. A profound statement for each to define. Could it be interpreted as each person is deserving of happiness on the most euphoric scale? Almost indicating there is a limitless supply of happiness on every level. Is happiness infinite? Words hold an incredible amount of power over the subconscious mind. I believe unintentionally opening up space for distortion. There is a silent significance in the grammar arrangement possibly altering the mind to re-define the phrase to translate…

I have earned the right in which no one can deny me the level of happiness in which I am deserving and I will continually pursue happiness until I reach that utmost level that suits my gratification.

In 1776 our founders proposed the idea of happiness. Possibly deep happiness wasn't discussed among people or at least recognized as a need. I believe their intention behind “The Pursuit of Happiness” was an inspired drive of encouragement for each and every one of us to follow a life path full of enriched contentment. An ideal proposed with the aim to reach each individual, motivating all of us to strive for a sustainable level of happiness. A peaceful hope of a satisfying and gratifying level of happiness to which the pursuit becomes complete. In its original form from our forefathers, I believe this phrase was added to inform the people, happiness is out there, it is waiting for you to seize, blessings are abundant, but the pursuit is not permanent. On that same point, the pursuit must abate and the happiness must be put into action; otherwise the pursuit robs us of the happiness.

Happiness should not be considered the next destination. It should be practiced as a fixed and complete residence.

Fast forward 244 years to present life. If you look around there seems to have been a gradual intellectual shift in how we as people view happiness. Did the high mindedness of our unalienable right of happiness slowly become tarnished by the feeling of entitlement? I believe we have gravitated away from the original idea of making happiness out of what you have. Seemingly now we are waiting to consume more. You have to admit there is a level of excitement and romance in the idea, "I can have it all." While pursuing the idea of having it all, there is a chance we are all setting ourselves upon a course through life unknowingly pursuing a path where upon the end is unreachable. Your pursuit is the hamster wheel. It's ok to be driven within fluctuating cycles that spin up and down, around and around. Nonetheless, there is nothing more frightening than knowing you never jumped off to feel, to breath, to melt into happiness within its current state. Eventually seeing yourself as the hamster that never surrendered the pursuit. Missing the memories and homesick for a place that does not exist.

A concentrated life of happiness outweighs a life diluted in the hopes of winning a bigger prize.

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PERSONAL EXAMINATION TIME:

Learning to be your own life professor through well balanced deliberation.. Sit quietly...

• Are you always wishing you were somewhere else?

• Is your life so busy with activities you sometimes begin to question the original joy?

• Feeling the need to make more friends while knowing there is still so much to learn about the friends you now have?

• Continuously buying random items while questioning the motive?

• Are you able to describe what you want rather than what you have?

• Attempting to fill your life with material items at an unreachable level?

• You lean more attention toward your bank account rather than your passion?

• Do you feel a very strong need to compare yourself to others?

• Does your interest lie heavily on what you receive rather than what you contribute?

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THE TAKEAWAY:

Each and every one of us are pursuing a very personal journey toward our own definition of an enriched life. The pursuit of your own legacy is one of your most important lessons in this life. Think of your perseverance as a spool of thread with happiness waiting for you at the end of that empty spool. The thread crushed tightly within your hand, rowing happiness closer and closer toward you. The empowerment is deafening, but the pursuit is silent. The question is... What is the size of your spool of thread? Is your spool the size of a tree? Or an original size spool with an achievable outcome? "The Pursuit of Happiness" is possible, but eventually suspending the pursuit to practice, absorb, learn, contribute and experience happiness is a life worth pursuing.