@KaremIBarratt
The Tao says that happiness is the absence of the need to go in search for it. As I see it, the fastest way to this sort of happiness is to really get to know ourselves, like a mother knows her two-year-old toddler. To know our strengths as well our weaknesses, and accept them all, whole heartedly. And once we have done this, most of us realize that there’s no one to compete against; no one to please, no one to imitate, but our true selves. We don’t have to follow anyone else’s idea of success, progress or wealth. The only allegiance we owe is to our inner truth and the only drum we should follow it that of our beating heart.
Once we fully know ourselves, we discover all the richness and diversity which exist within and when we learn to honour and accept them, we are ready to honour and respect the diversity in others. As we comprehend that our lights and shadows are which make us tri-dimensional humans, we stop trying to be paper-thin saints. Then we get the courage to express ourselves authentically and learn to appreciate the authenticity in others. And in this self-discovery we stumble over our Divine Light and as we connect to it, we discover all the secrets of our soul landscape and receive our own revelation.
From this place of truth we are able to see the Divine Light everywhere: in us, the others, the universe at large. And we cannot help but to be happy, because happiness is what we are. Unhappiness comes from blocking our awareness of the Divine Light and the best way to remedy this is to go inwards and embrace your true self. And this self is part of that Light of Life, Love, Creativity -that immortal Light that holds and sustains and has more faith in you and your greatness that you could ever imagine. So let go of those beliefs, those “musts” and “shoulds” you have accepted as yours, and like a good sculptor, work with the material you are made of and sculpt your work of art according to your own qualities. Stop looking for happiness outside yourself, and like the great Michelangelo would said, see the angel in your rock, and let it fee.
Journeying Soul 
Good thoughts. Yes, the inner examination. The moment to moment observations as to how we, individually, interact with the rest of Creation…..through our thoughts, actions, and desires. When the self-centeredness begins to fade, our spiritual sensations gain greater clarity. We build a higher capacity to function at the level of Oneness, as opposed the degrees of opposition currently existent within the Human Species.
Thank you 🙂
I think you nailed it with this: As we comprehend that our lights and shadows are which make us tri-dimensional humans, we stop trying to be paper-thin saints.
Thank you for this post. I am already on the path of self discovery, and every now and then need this kind of encouragement!
You are very welcome and we are walking together 🙂