the book of questions - or for what in your life do you feel most grateful?

now here's a question which at first impulse seems to be easy to answer; what popped into my mind instantly: my friends.

but then you start thinking... the fact that I have a healthy strong body that allows me to go anywhere and do anything? my education which gives me access to so many opportunties? the privilege of having been born in europe and into a wealthy family which has allowed me to grow up a healthy strong woman and has made it possible for me to choose my education and what I do with it? and suddenly it's not that straight forward anymore! and isn't this really a question about happiness? and what is happiness anyway; how do you achieve it?

now I would say that happiness is a state of being which you can only achieve by yourself; you have to find your source of happiness within - or else you will never experience it truly. but then who am I to determine this? I have experienced true happiness; this feeling of total calm and centred-ness, of knowing without knowing, without being able to explain, this feeling of wanting to explode into the world, burst into millions of little fragements to be able to be everywhere at the same time to experience the whole beauty of this world at once. but happiness also allows you to see the flowers along the way; to find something positive and beautiful anywhere you go and first and foremost it is a feeling completely detached from anything around you - you can be happy anywhere. but then that's my interpretation; I can be happy anywhere because I am priviledged and have a safety net and strong roots which allow me to grow upwards and out into the world - that's only possible because I am at the same time grounded.

and then - can you really be happy just by yourself? whilst I know that I for myself have to tap into my own source of happiness, I like to share it. and that's where the environment comes in - and seriously - is there anything more beautiful than to share happiness with those you care most about? to share moments of utter happiness with the ones you love is a magical experience beyond words.

so if I had to give an answer to what I am most grateful for in life I would have to say 'myself and those who made me me' - thank you!