"Happiness is not a goal; it is a by-product" is a famous quote by Eleanor Roosevelt.  Succinctly stated, we should aspire to do the things that make us happy and if we are being true to ourselves and cultivating the things that bring us joy, then you will be happy regardless.  This was my own interpretation of these great words, as I took them in.  There are a variety of examples of people who attribute the state of being happy to attaining something else.  Perhaps if they just had a better job, or if they just could find the right person or if they lived in a bigger house, then they would feel happier.  The truth is, that the state of one's personal harmony rests with ourselves and how we view our own state of being.  Money doesn't buy you happiness and for some getting divorced may bring some perceived happiness, while others feel that getting married will help them achieve it.  Human beings are fickle when it comes to some of these life matters, that the people around us may begin to question whether we even make sense at times.   Our goal should be to do the things that bring us joy and make us passionate about what we are doing. When older people are asked about the things that brought them joy in their lives, they usually have a number of examples to share with others about being in that state for as long as they could capture it.  None of us want to get to the point in our lives that we would have any type of regrets about what we should have done or failed to accomplish.  This is why we are to live for the present, which we sometimes can take for granted.  Individuals with youth on their side, may think that they have a lifetime ahead of them in order to achieve such levels of happiness, that they put it off into the distant future.  It is not until one is older that time begins to move quite fast and then you come to the realization that you may have less time than you think.  Therefore don't postpone joy any longer in your life and live for the little things that make you smile and fill your heart with exuberance.  Reflect on what a blessed life you have been privileged to live so far, while happiness is attracted to you in enough small amounts that it becomes an abundant by-product of who you are.