Volumes have been written on the secret of happiness, but I like the simple old story that has been told so often.
In the old days, there was a king who was so miserable and unhappy that he called together all of his soothsayers, magicians, and other court advisers to find a remedy. They tried all sorts of methods to rouse the king out of his deep despair— but alas, to no avail. Finally, one of them suggested that a search be made for the happiest man in the kingdom, for it was thought that if the king could put on the man’s undershirt, he would become happy too. In due course, the happiest man in the kingdom was found. But, of course, he had never even owned an undershirt. His happiness sprang from within.
And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart (Jeremiah 29:13).
Our search for happiness begins and ends within us. God created us with everything we need to be happy, fulfilled and at peace. God did not fill creation with our sources of joy, instead God filled us with them. Things, places, position or status will never make anyone happy. Freedom from want or fear won’t do the trick either. The world is full of wealthy, successful and powerful people who are unhappy, empty and unfulfilled.
No, the source for true happiness comes from God and is given to us as a gift. It comes into our lives when we follow God’s will and obey God’s instructions. We become happy when we act, think and feel according to God’s spirit within us. When we manifest God’s will through loving, giving and caring, the grace and mercy of God flow through us into our lives and outward into our world. When we live with an humble and grateful spirit that puts God first and demonstrates God’s love in us, then God’s love and happiness fill our hearts and our lives.
It is then we realize that we already have our gardens, and that we are surrounded by and filled with love, peace, joy and gladness. There is no need to search for it, there is nothing in the world that can take that joy away, nor can we travel anywhere and lose it.
First within, then without,
Z gardener
Good Morning Garden 
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