Happiness.

"I think eventually we learn to define happiness for ourselves on our own terms in spite of the pain other people have caused us."
-One Tree Hill

I don't think there could be a more appropriate quote for my life this week.  I used to hate people that would brag about their perfect happy lives.  I mean, how could everything be so perfect?  Clearly something had to be wrong with their lives.

But over time, I've come to realize that everything probably isn't perfect in their lives.  It's all a matter of perspective.  It's all a matter of how you define happiness.  Happiness isn't defined by other people.  Society tells us over and over that to be happy you have to have a lot of money, the perfect boyfriend, the perfect wardrobe.   For me, happiness is about how you feel about yourself and how you make others feel.  

A few months ago, I was not at a place in my life where I could make other people happy, because I wasn't "good" with myself.  Sure, I was my same upbeat self, but at the end of the day, something was just "off."  Over the last few months, I have undergone some drastic changes in my life.  Some for the good, others for not the best, but I can finally say I am in a place in my life where I am truly happy.  I have a job that I love where I can impact and influence kids in a positive way, I have a group of supportive and uplifting friends, and most importantly, I have the best family I could ask for.  I feel good about myself and the decisions I've made to get to where I am now.

So is my life perfect? Absolutely not.  Are there still things I wish I could change?  Of course.  But I'm finally defining happiness for myself.  And I am happy.  

How do you define happiness?