Our Wish for You: Finding Happiness from Within

Our wish for you this Christmas is that you may find true happiness and joy.

Happiness does not have to be dependent on your physical environment. Happiness can be yours whatever your external circumstances may be, as these pictures of happiness show:

Happiness comes from our love for others.  These two girls are enjoying one another’s company despite the torrential rain. The driver, presumably their father, has an expression of contentment in their presence even while he is soaked to the skin and delivering a heavy load.

Girls Laughing in a Monsoon

All happiness and all pleasure comes from love. The greatest happiness in life comes from loving God and loving other people, because the very nature of God flows into that kind of life.
—Emanuel Swedenborg (Secrets of Heaven §3539)

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This paralympian is ecstatic over winning, not gold, but silver. No Olympic silver scowl here! Happiness can shine through from within regardless of physical handicaps.

Richard Oribe Celebrates Paralympic Silver

Happy are those who find wisdom, and those who gain understanding.
—Proverbs 3:13

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Here, Rosemary McDermott and her husband rejoice as they discover that their treasured genealogical records survived the destruction of their home in the Breezy Point section of Queens, New York, which was ravaged by Hurricane Sandy. Some good can come from every disaster—such as treasuring what we still have.

Couple Celebrates Salvage from Destroyed House

When we trust in God, we are constantly receiving good things from God. Whatever happens to us, whether it seems like an advantage or a setback, is still good because it serves as a stepping stone leading us toward eternal happiness.
—Emanuel Swedenborg (Secrets of Heaven §8480)

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Speaking of disaster, in this picture two rescue workers smile as they carry a young girl out of the rubble of her home in India. Our greatest joy comes in doing good for others—and there is special joy in helping others out of harm’s way.

Rescuers Smile while Carrying Girl from Rubble

Happiness comes to us when we engage in useful services as part of our work.
—Emanuel Swedenborg (True Christianity §735)

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Even when death is staring us in the face, we can still feel joy!

Cancer Patient in Brazil Celebrates Soccer Goal

Sing praises to the Lord, O you his faithful ones,
And give thanks to his holy name.
Weeping may linger for the night,
But joy comes with the morning.
—Psalm 30:4, 5

For more happy pictures, visit the sources of the above photos:

The 40 Happiest Photos Taken This Year

The Best of the Best 2012

Whatever may be happening in your life, we wish you happiness from within and with your loved ones during this sacred season and in the new year!

About Lee

Lee Woofenden is an ordained minister, writer, editor, translator, and teacher. He enjoys taking spiritual insights from the Bible and the writings of Emanuel Swedenborg and putting them into plain English as guides for everyday life.