“Happiness doesn’t exist on the far side of distant mountains. It is within you, yourself. Not you, however, sitting in idle passivity. It is to be found in the vibrant dynamism of your own life as you struggle to challenge and overcome one obstacle after another, as you clamber up a perilous ridge in pursuit of that which lies beyond.“ ~Daisaku Ikeda

I love the image this quote conjures up: that we are all heroes clambering the perilous ridge of our lives with an inner happiness in knowing that as we navigate, we are becoming a stronger and greater version of ourselves.

This little bit of text makes me grateful for my problems. (––Did I just say that?!   )

Yesterday, I attended our annual family reunion. As I caught up with my cousins it occurred to me that each of us has struggles and heartaches, AND times of great pleasure and feelings of deep hope.

As I drove home I felt proud of my extended family. We live well, we hurt, we work, we love, we stumble, we grow, and we laugh.

I began to wonder: do we love and laugh despite our problems, or do we love and laugh because of our problems? ––Perhaps it is a little bit of both, and perhaps that is the beauty and point of it all.

Joy is in the contrast––in the interaction of the different forces in our lives that cause us to have a perspective and an appreciation for what is good and right––right now.

The contrast of what breaks our heart, against the little things that warm it, is what makes those little things so sweet, meaningful, and of great import in our lives.

“...Happiness is found in the vibrant dynamism of your own life…”

Embrace the climb and feel the joy!