As we begin this new year we are once again confronted with those things that we would like to change about our lives or about ourselves. Millions have once again decided to quit smoking, get out of debt, eat better, lose weight, or do 100 other things that they feel will give them a better life. It all has to do with our search for happiness.

For many, happiness is an elusive concept. For a very few, it seems to be a way of life. But unfortunately, those who find true happiness seem to be few indeed. Too seldom do we take a step back and look deep down inside ourselves to find what would really make us happy in our lives. Too often we get caught up in the rat race of keeping up with the Joneses, of seeking riches, a sexier partner, worldly possessions, or other things that society tells us would make us happy. We are bombarded with messages from our television sets, the Internet, magazines, and society as a whole that if we just had a new Buick, or Mercedes-Benz, then we would be happy. Or if we had a big-screen television or bigger home or a better job, a sexier body or a better spouse‹then we would be happy.

In our minds we know better. But something continues to drive us forward toward seeking happiness in areas that we know, deep down inside, we will never find it. Unfortunately, the result is that many people never do find happiness. Even when they have their bigger home, their big-screen television, or even their Mercedes-Benz, they find themselves no happier than they were before. That is because they are looking for happiness in the wrong place. It's not that they don't already know that. It's just that they don't force themselves to stop and take a look deep down inside and ask themselves what's really going on in their lives and face what it is going to take to change it.

I think they already know, when they take time to think about it, where to find happiness. It's just that they don't allow themselves to think about it very much. Perhaps it is because it is too painful. Or that they fear failure. Or perhaps it is too scary to realize that happiness could be right around the corner and to admit that it is not at all where they have been seeking it or where society has been leading them to believe it is.

Most people in the free world already have the bare necessities of life; oxygen, food, water, shelter, and safety. Once those needs are filled, we are prepared to truly seek happiness and fulfillment in our lives. After a brief 55 years of personal experience, it is my conclusion that happiness does not come at all from where society would send us searching for it. Rather, happiness seems to come more from what is happening within ourselves than from what is happening around us. Happiness seems to come much more from our own actions than from possessions or from the actions of others. It is my experience that peace of mind and happiness comes from how we see ourselves in five areas. First, are we conducting our lives within the bounds of our own value system and are we living within the scope of what we consider to be right or wrong? Second, are we worthwhile? Are we making a contribution, and making a difference in the lives of others? Third, are our relationships meaningful with our family and other loved ones? Fourth, are we involved in building or creating something that stimulates our intellect and our sense of accomplishment? Fifth, are we making progress in these four areas?

I think it is worthwhile to note that there are many happy people who do not have much in the way of worldly possessions. It does not take riches to find happiness. Sometimes I worry that the tremendous success that people are having in operating their Melaleuca businesses will lead them the wrong direction in their search for happiness. Let's remember that prosperity in and of itself will not bring happiness. I am convinced that prosperity, if used properly, can enhance our lives only if we use it in the five areas mentioned above. It is my hope that as we begin this new year and decide to make changes in our lives, that we will make those changes in areas that can bring us all true happiness. After all, it would be a sad thing to find out a whole year from now that we have been looking in the wrong place.

Sincerely,

Frank L. VanderSloot