Why July 4th = Happiness
Every July 4th, we pack up our kids and the dog and visit my father-in-law for his birthday and for a big Independence Day celebration. I have been attending for the past 27 years I have known my wife and they have been having the party for another 20 years before that. My father-in-law Keith was born in England 88 years ago, but he insists that since his birthday is on the 4th of July, America is celebrating in his honor.
As I began looking forward to our celebrations on the 4th, I was pleasantly surprised to note all the opportunities for happiness provided by this special day.
- We get to see and catch up with our immediate family, our extended family, and our family friends. The opportunities to catch up, reconnect, and nurture these special relationships is a wonderful source of joy and fun.
- We all bring gifts for Keith’s birthday and even though giving makes us happy, being creative and finding that one gift he will appreciate is especially rewarding.
- We get to enjoy the weather, great food and spirits, and of course the fireworks.
- It is a time to reflect and appreciate that we are part of something bigger than ourselves. We are part of a family and a great nation.
- Gratitude builds happiness and there are so many things to be grateful for on July the 4th.
- I am grateful to have 3 days off of work and to get to choose what I want to do each day.
- I am grateful for my friends and family
- I am grateful to feel safe as a drive to another city without roadblocks and without the fear of roadside bombs along the highway.
But most of all, I am grateful to live in a great nation where freedom is so highly valued that people are willing to risk their lives to ensure that others are free; a country where we have the choices and opportunities to build better futures and of course a country where the opportunity for the “Pursuit of Happiness” is virtually unlimited.
Happy 4th of July and God Bless all those who made this day possible.
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About Ray White
My Passion is helping people become successful and happy. I have found that many people want to be successful but just don’t know how. More importantly, people want to be successful because they feel that reaching some success pinnacle will result in them becoming happy. The research and my experience has shown that just the opposite is the case. Success does not lead to happiness. Happiness leads to success.
