A client of mine was describing his life long struggle with stress and his infrequent bouts with happiness.  He “wished” that happiness was something that could be built like a house.  Turns out…it can be. 

A popular greeting card attributes this quote to Henry David Thoreau: “Happiness is like a butterfly: the more you chase it, the more it will elude you, but if you turn your attention to other things, it will come and sit softly on your shoulder.”

At least that is the thought.  Some times we remember when we were truly happy and think that the only way to recapture that feeling is to recapture the exact same set of circumstances. 

Have you ever known someone who was happy all the time?  It’s not that they don’t “go through” the same stuff everyone one else “goes through” but they seem anchored to happiness, composed, less troubled in the world’s Café Adversity.

The happiest people in the world have their fair share of stressors, stress triggers and tragedies.  They do, however, have a secret weapon which is found in their anchoring poise, strength and connection to optimism, hope and gratitude.