One of the happiest days of my life was when I realized that nothing will ever make me happy.

Nothing.  As in no thing.

Things used to excite me.  I would feel so much better by having things rather than when I was just wanting things.  I have surrounded myself with all sorts of things, all designed to make me happy.  Or at least that’s what I told myself when I bought them.  Somehow I expected the things that I possessed would give me the happiness and joy that I was missing in my life.  How could I be happy with a 32″ TV?  A 54″ TV is 69% larger, and therefore must contain 69% more happiness!  How could anyone be happy using last year’s iPhone?  Driving a two year old car?  You must be miserable!

I know this is true.

I saw it advertised on TV.

GAPING HOLE The advertising world is often blamed for creating aspirations and desires for products that we really don’t need.  Advertisers masterfully appeal emotionally, showing how this great new (insert product here) will change your life for the better…how this great new (insert product here) will fill that gaping hole in your less-than-perfect pathetic life.  From drinking the “right” beer to using the “right” deodorant, these products will make us happier and relevant and accepted by our peers!  Best of all we may actually start to like ourselves, too!

Don’t blame Madison Avenue; they’re just doing their job.  The key question is why we allow ourselves to be manipulated by these external forces.  I for one have had bought in to the “things = happiness” theory.  Somehow I bought into that false expectation, validating it’s bogus claim.  But I just don’t give things that much credit any more.

REAL HAPPINESS Living Half Full is to know that real happiness comes not from your possessions but from what possesses your heart.  Real happiness stems from an appreciation of all that you are, not all that you have.  Living Half Full is rising above the ridiculous expectations that the world places upon you.  Issues related to true happiness can never be resolved by simply spending an afternoon in the mall.  Retail therapy offers a quick fix, but it never offers the cure.

You are all you need to be truly happy.  Find that place inside of you.  Besides, it’s a heck of a lot cheaper.

It’s a great day to be you!