We are all just trying to do the best we can with what we have.  After all, isn’t that what life is truly about? We’re dealt a certain hand of cards from the beginning. A predetermined set of opportunities and circumstances that ultimately have an impact on our happiness.

Some might call it luck. I like to think of it as a perfectly planned out itinerary.

It’s interesting when we think about how some people are less fortunate or don’t have as good of a hand as we do. Or we compare our hand to someone who seemingly has more than us.

Most of the time what we are really comparing, though, are material things such as money, houses, cars, jobs, etc. But in the end, none of those things really matter.

What we should be looking at is happiness. And not someone else’s, but our own. Because no matter what our circumstances may be, we all have the ability to play the card that determines our happiness.

It’s an equal playing field in terms of happiness. What often happens is that we base our happiness on the other cards or even someone else who we think is holding the cards, when really that particular card is independent. That card isn’t even really a card. It’s a choice.

We can choose to be happy every day and every second.  Our happiness is connected to how we feel inside about ourselves. I also believe it is tied to our relationship with God. I would argue that without having this relationship in your life, it will be nearly impossible to attain the real level of happiness we are all striving for. He is the ultimate peace and joy giver. He’s the king of all hearts and he is available in everyone’s deck.

Peace and happiness tend to go hand in hand. Peace is being comfortable with what you have and not letting outside influences affect you. Happiness is being grateful for what you have and that happens when we realize the root of all happiness stems from inside us.

If we are searching for happiness, and I think all of us are in some form, we have to remember that the best place to look is inside. It’s interesting to think that the journey within to get to know ourselves wouldn’t be as scary as it actually is. But, trust me, going there is where the delightful miracles tend to happen.

When is the last time you sat with yourself and asked:

Who am I? Really?

What do I truly want?

How am I playing the cards I’ve been dealt?

Am I building my happiness from the inside?

What is my relationship with God?

I think what’s notable is that we all have a chance every day to answer these questions and then back the answers with our actions. Some of us get so caught up in life and our habitual tendencies that we can lose sight of the role we play in our own happiness.

The real question is: What are you choosing to do with the cards you are holding?

We may not be able to change the cards, but we can change how we choose play them.

Photo Credit: Gala Darling