Happiness. How do you define it? Not in a generic way, but a personal way. A very personal way.

What does or would it take for you to feel truly happy. Is happiness contentment? Fulfillment? Acceptance? Validation? Professional success? Family success? Popularity? Lots of money? Security? Is happiness all of those wrapped up together? Plus more?

So then, if you can define what your personal happiness is, have you achieved it? Are you still chasing it? Do you know how to find it? Where to find it? Bring it? Make it?

I would never ask you to divulge such personal thoughts without throwing mine in the mix, too, so here goes:

Happiness for me is watching my children, who have turned into adults before my eyes, continue their chosen paths in life and succeed at what they do.

Happiness for me is knowing they consider me their friend as well as their mother, and they still come to me when they need my advice, help, thoughts, ideas, or just someone to hang out with.

Happiness for me is spending time with all of my family — kids, sisters, husband, and enjoying every moment we share and laugh together.

Happiness for me is security. Security in the form of steadfast love and acceptance, warts and all.

I don’t need nor do I want fancy things. I don’t need to travel the world, although it would be nice. I don’t need attention from a lot of people. I just need — and yes, I admit I need it — the love of my family, for better or worse. I also need a certain level of personal achievement in the things I love to do, and I like for my family to recognize that. I need the things that I do to be validated and appreciated. Appreciation …. a very big thing for me. And forgiveness. I choose to forgive so that I may be forgiven. I am far from perfect — very, very far — and I don’t expect perfection from anyone else. I do hope, though, that when I falter, whether it be large or small, I can be forgiven, because I never mean to do harm, although I know I have.

Those are the things I feel I need to be truly happy and content — and yes, I think contentment is a huge factor in happiness. Do I think I have achieved it all? No. Am I still chasing it? Absolutely. Do I know how to find it? Bring it? Make it? Not always. Not all of it. But I’m still trying. As hard as it gets, and as bad as it hurts sometimes. I just can’t help myself. I still try.