Reflection Essay: What Is It That Makes Me Happy?

What is it that makes me happy? I’ve asked myself this many times. While I don’t have an answer that fits for everyone, I found one for myself. To find an answer to this question, I feel self-reflection and self-evaluation is essential. As I age, I learned that things I thought could bring happiness were mostly short-lived. Chittister states, “Happiness cannot possibly be any of those fleeting transitory things. Happiness is a great deal more than any impulse and its dependence on the mood of the moment…It sees every day through a filter of basic satisfaction” (18). This quote really hit home for me. Regardless whether I feel sad or happy, I always wanted something more, I was looking for the next best thing. It was toxic and seems endless.

It would be nice if what I love to do is a well-paying career. However, a well-paying job I lack passion in will lead to endless soul searching and discontentment. To be passionate about what I do is important as it will bring out the best in me and allow me to serve my purpose. I believe I found my purpose, and that is being a great caregiver. I didn’t always know. Some people find their passion earlier in life and pursue it. Some may find it later in life and pursue it. Some may never leave their comfort zone to explore their purpose. For those that don’t pursue their calling, their purpose will pursue them for the rest of their life. Like myself, I started questioning everything I was doing, the reason for doing it and if it was meaningful, which lead me to pursue my calling.

I remembered how unhappy I was when I was trying to identify my gifts and abilities, what career choices would be fulfilling and fitting to my desires. It was then, that I knew having the right career was one of the keys to my happiness. Doing what is purposeful bring satisfaction to my life. This is the type of happiness that is not fleeting, so when all else fail, the peace and happiness in my soul will not wither when I face day to day challenges. Doing what we are meant to be doing does not need to be a job, but it needs to be a part of our

However, to answer to a calling by overcoming the obstacles before us is what will lead to a fulfilling life. Enjoying something is not the same as satisfaction or happiness, but doing something we enjoy can facilitate towards the path of finding that happiness and that's a start (Chittister 49). Chittister also mentioned that when we do what we love, we find happiness in ourselves and the world finds happiness in us (p.45). Happiness is contagious.

When people talk about what their callings are, it tends to be about their careers or whatever that they are doing. However, I feel a calling could also be a called to be in someone's life. Building healthy relationships also bring happiness whether it is someone we connect with emotionally, romantically, or spiritually. We are born to be social. We are not solitary beings, we are a part of society. Contributing to make other people’s life better could include our lover, friends, family, colleagues, and