One of the essential keys to happiness is growth. How do we grow?

We grow by constantly improving and extending ourselves, continuously being of service to others, doing small acts of kindness at all times, giving charity, taking risks, doing the unexpected, giving fully of ourselves …

The quickest way to grow is to always be in appreciation of life. Being grateful, and having appreciation for everything and every person and every situation is fundamental to personal growth. One of the root causes of depression is not being able to appreciate the gifts in one’s life. Everything, every person, every situation is a gift. And, by treating life as such happiness finds it’s way to you instead of you having to search for it.

You work all day, and try to find a means to an end, but end up with the same question time and time again, “When will I find happiness?” Because- in your heart- you know that your ultimate goal is happiness.

Happiness will come only when you accept that every obstacle- big or small- comes as a mechanism to your development of growth. When you feel the need to have answers right away you are only seeking what you think will instantly make you feel better. Which, in return, leads to a life of merry-go-round misery and unfulfillment because the answers that come to you so quickly sometimes are not always what you need.

This week, find meaningful ways to continue stretching yourself. Find ways in which you are grateful for even the smallest of blessings in your life. Gratitude is the most simple gift you can give to yourself. And, through gratitude and growth comes happiness.

—Penna

The Gratitude + Growth = Happiness by INNER PRINCESS Magazine, unless otherwise expressly stated, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.