Look Within

“Happiness is not in our circumstances, but in ourselves. It is not something we see, like a rainbow, or feel, like the heat of the fire. Happiness is something we are.” - John B. Sheerin

I love this quote.

Above all else, this quote reminds us that happiness cannot come from outside sources. Happiness is found within...and we can choose to foster it. Sure, there are things that seem to make us happier than others - people, activities, etc. But really, in any circumstance, we can choose happiness. We can reach deeply within ourselves and find it.

It reminds me of learning about the Sacraments with my 6th graders. (Bear with me here.) We discussed how Sacraments are visible signs of God's love and grace in our lives: We cannot see God's love or His unmerited grace (just like, in the quote, we can't see happiness), but we catch glimpses and find "evidence" in the Sacraments, nature, etc. God's love is a huge part of who we are, and the Sacraments make us holier and closer to God. God is around us, yes, but, more importantly, God is within us.

And I think we would all do well to remember that...