By Alyssa Ruzicka
True Happiness
Sometimes I notice that certain people seem to have such joyful, happy lives. I think how did that person get such a positive outlook? I know everyone has times in their life when they are down or struggling, but do you know friends in your life who are so happy and it seems like they hardly ever have bad days?
I have a friend that I think is the happiest person I know. He is always positive and has such a good attitude. Even when there is something in his life that a lot of people would look at as a negative thing, he can find something positive about the situation. It helps me so much to see that example. We should live like that. I realized that I want to live like that too. I want to be a joyful person like that and have a positive perspective on life.
I was praying and asking the Lord about this, and I felt like the Lord told me, "Stop trying to gratify and please yourself." I thought, thank you, Lord! I realized that is exactly it. I was so busy trying to make myself a happy person by doing the things that I wanted to do. I became self-seeking, and indulgent. That leads to selfishness and not to true happiness.
True happiness is denying yourself to love others; looking at things with a positive perspective; and keeping that perspective without complaining, even when it is not such a happy situation. What has helped me when the circumstances around me are not going my way is to just chill, and say, "God, you have me in this for a reason, and I just trust you that everything will be okay, I trust Your Will." Doing this has helped me to have such peace. I have also learned that, ironically, when I am trying to gratify myself; things don't turn out as fun or as great as I had hoped. When I try to serve others and not myself, I receive the most joy and fulfillment.
Proverbs 16:20
He who heeds the word wisely will find good, and whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he.
To the home schooled teenagers: I really encourage you to come to teen events and get involved. The people who come are really friendly and including. It's not tough to get to know people. I met some of my best friends by getting involved in the home school group. It really helped me to enjoy home schooling and not feel like I am missing out. I hope to see you at some events soon!! J