In my previous job I worked very hard and was under appreciated, especially when it came to the amount of income I received. It was a challenge to remain positive and optimistic, and some days I failed miserably. But most days I did my best to stay close to my joy and gratitude, appreciating the blessings that surrounded me. Though my pockets were not as full as I would have preferred and though I was not performing a job I was passionate about, I did all I could not to allow happiness to elude me. But so many of my previous co-workers complained and were unhappy. And their complaints were not limited to lack of money; they had a variety of reasons they felt the urge to express their displeasure.
Today, I work a new job where I feel appreciated, and get paid well. My new co-workers also get paid well and seem to be appreciated; yet the complaints are just as plentiful. Lack of money is not a common complaint, but unhappiness is still present even in a job that is much more generous. Here we have two opposite ends of an occupational spectrum, and complaints run rapid in both. Why is this, and where does happiness come from?
Happiness derives from within, not from external sources. Money does not determine our happiness; being appreciated by a stubborn boss does not define our value. If we look for the bad things in life, our experiences will be poor in quality. But if we practice gratitude and look for good, our potential to have wonderful experiences increases. Sure the second high paying job may also have its share of unfortunate situations, but fortune is determined by how effectively we are able to see gold hidden within a pile of dirt. When you actively seek the good, your activities will be golden.