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Recently, many thoughts (that which some may consider foolish and a waste of time, aka "daydreams") have engaged this meager mind of mine; thoughts of the origin and source of happiness, thoughts of what happiness entails. Just what is this thing called "happiness"? Is it found in sitting around with your acquaintances? Or is it attaining the things you want in life? Striving for a good education, career, job, married life, or family? Yes, these things can bring us happiness, but they are not happiness in and of themselves. "So what, pray tell, is happiness?", you may ask. Happiness is seeing and experiencing God in the little things around you in life. What do I mean by this? Let me explain...

As I was growing up, I used to sit at my living room window, staring out at the tree that lies just in front of our residence. Its tall leafy branches extend out in numerous directions, almost as if they were stretching after a long rest. Can you see their arms extending out in praise to their Creator? Yes, they too, have a maker. The same Maker who created you and me, and who provides for us so tenderly. So I ask again, can you see it?

Even in the wintertime as their branches are bare, cracked, and dry, they reach out exhaustingly to their God, crying out to be saved. They are chained to the soil of this earth by their roots, entangled, as if in a mesh that traps itself. Locked to the ground, they stretch out in agony, reaching every which way to come a little bit closer to what they long for: a life that will set them free; a life that will spring forth a new vitality, a new surge of green to decorate their current dilapidated façade.

Soon after, a heavy rain begins to fall. It tumbles from the sky with no avail, beating against the bare branches, pelting them, wearing them down. The thunder in the air rumbles and shakes the roots, which are twisted and stuck in the dirt and mud. It shakes it to the core, so much that they know they are in the presence of the mighty being who controls their every turn and coil. So I ask you again, can you see it?

The rains cease, the thunder quiets down. At the foot of the tree lies mud. A puddle of glum, it is avoided by all those who approach it. "Oh my…look at that mess!", they cry. The tree is all but torn in two. First agony, then beaten by the rain, and threatened by the thunder. Above all, to have suffered shame amidst the other trees. "Woe is me! What disgrace befalls me! And the other trees…look at the way they stand proudly with such might!"

Weeks passed as the tree remained in such a sorrowful state. It had all but lost hope. But one day, out of nowhere, a small green bud sprouted on one of the branches and began to tickle the tree. He couldn't quite understand what was happening, but he let it remain there. Soon after, more little buds appeared. The tree thought it was quite peculiar, but hoped it would continue because he found it rather enjoyable to be decorated with such medallions. In a month's time, he was covered in lush green. How he loved it so! He thought back to the days of agony, pain and shame, but realized it was all worth it for this. You see, without the harshness of those things, he would not have developed to where he is now.

So the explanation of happiness evolved into a tree story. Ah, c'est la vie, n'est-ce pas? But what about it?

Can you see it yet?

Let me relay to you another account of an occurrence that took place. In my university days, I used to travel by car early in the morning just to get a parking space. With the small city streets and much construction going on, there were not many places available to park. After parking, I walked along the empty campus and was approached by a small sparrow, perched on the ground a few feet away. I couldn't help but smile as the tiny bird hopped a few steps here and there, tilting its head a bit, to look at me with its beautiful beady eyes. I'm always reminded of St. Francis and his gentle ways with the creatures of the earth when I see small birds near me. Although you may find this odd, I too, greet my fellow brother birds in the beauty of the morning day. They look at me and I see them return the morning greeting through their gentle eyes. And I smile. Can you see it?

You see, it is the small, often overlooked, things in this world that bring us happiness. They do not contain happiness in and of themselves, but bring it to us through various means. So, I ask you one more time…can you see it? And moreover, …can you feel it? If the answer to those questions is "yes", you, my friend, have discovered happiness, for happiness is seeing, realizing, and experiencing God through the people and things around us. He has touched everything with His hands. Won't you reach out your hands to experience Him? Come, open your eyes and heart, and have your fill...