I can still vividly recall the melodic jingle of the ice cream truck echoing through the neighborhood, igniting a rush of excitement within me. It was a moment that prompted me to hastily gather every coin from my dresser drawer, eager to make the ultimate choice: the classic ice cream sandwich. I cherished every second as I savored the creamy center, meticulously licking between and around the two wafers. To me, that center represented pure happiness, and I made it my mission to prolong the enjoyment until the very last bite. Even at the age of 7, my dedication to preserving the essence of an ice cream sandwich was so pronounced that I may still be remembered as the kid from my childhood neighborhood who took pride in keeping the center intact for as long as possible.
The significance of those ice cream sandwich moments transcends childhood memories. Today, as I pull up at the local farm to order ice cream, I still experience that same exhilaration. However, as I grew older, I discovered that maintaining happiness became more of a challenge than a natural state of being. Life’s twists and turns sometimes led to unfulfilled expectations, severed relationships, or personal changes. It was during those moments of uncertainty that I embarked on a quest for answers. While numerous happiness studies suggest that relationships are key to sustaining happiness, I recognized that relying on external factors was not the solution, as they were beyond my control. This realization prompted me to shift my focus towards nurturing a relationship with my eternal self—the person life has shaped me into becoming.
I came to understand that true contentment lies not in preserving the center of an ice cream sandwich, but rather in preserving the connection with our authentic selves. When this relationship remains intact, all other relationships in our lives thrive. But how does one nurture and preserve that connection? The answer lies in embracing happiness through the simple moments of life and living in the present. Enjoying an ice cream becomes an act of self-expression, an unapologetic celebration of who I am at my core. This alignment with my true self becomes the sweetest treat life has to offer.
As I delved deeper into the pursuit of happiness, I discovered the power of feeling good and developed tools to manifest my desired state of being. No longer content with simply asking for happiness, I began proclaiming my happiness as if I had already received it. I learned to appreciate the moments when my desires materialized and acknowledged myself as the conscious creator of my reality through my thoughts, feelings, and actions. Prioritizing feeling good above all else, I approached every decision by choosing the path of least resistance and following my highest excitement.
Drawing upon my background in engineering, I compared the process of tuning a circuit to tuning my own being. Just as we tune our car radios to the desired station, we have the power to tune our frequency to align with our desires. To manifest a loving and happy relationship, I understood the importance of cultivating happiness within myself. By harmonizing with the eternal aspect of my being, the part that never relinquishes our dreams and holds the light to guide us, I became a magnet for experiences and circumstances that mirrored my highest aspirations. In this state of alignment, I rode the tides of joyful emotions, designing the world I desired to inhabit.
In my daily life, I seek out tasks and events that bring me happiness. While at work, I identify aspects that keep me content. During my drives, I immerse myself in audiobooks or music that uplift my spirits. I embrace every opportunity to nurture happiness, knowing its vital role in manifesting my dreams. I compiled a list of all the things I yearned for in life and boldly claimed them as my own. During a long walk that gradually turned into a jog, I made a powerful plea for the ability to become a deliberate creator of my life, to choose happiness regardless of circumstances, and to love unconditionally, free from judgment. That transformative experience propelled me forward, running with determination while gazing at the sky, asserting my authority over my universe.
In the grand tapestry of life, the art of milking happiness from each moment is an invaluable skill. By preserving the connection with our authentic selves, we unlock the true potential of all our relationships. So, let us embrace the simple joys that life offers, proclaim our happiness, and revel in the present moment. In doing so, we become deliberate designers of our reality, shaping a world aligned with our deepest desires.