My mentor had always been there for me. Even though I wasn't always pleased with what he had to tell me, I knew I could always count on him to give me honest and helpful advice. As he smiled at me, I couldn't help but begin to realize the humor in all of the chaos and misery that was around me at the time.

"Remember to be happy." He told me. "All the time, without any reason in the world, simply be happy with the wonderful, and beautiful unfolding of your life."

As I wondered how that was possible, he continued. "Even in the middle of chaos, there is a certain degree of peace that can be found. Even when the world seems to be falling apart around you, you must be able to sit in a place of contentment and peace."

His words began to sink in as I remembered that everything changes. Even this situation and the circumstances that were currently in my life. Everything would pass and the storm would end, as it always does.

"Remember to always keep your eyes wide open. Most people go through life with their eyes completely shut." He told me. "Even in the middle of chaos, we must learn to keep our eyes open and see everything that is around us. That is going on around us. Then, and only then, will we be able to react and respond to what is happening. Then, and only then, will we truly find peace and contentment."

I found myself reflecting on his hundreds of other lessons about life and living and happiness, and the pursuit of happiness. I remembered that it's important to pay attention no matter what is going on in my life.

I also remembered the lessons about how we are able to find a place of happiness, and must find that place within us no matter what is happening. That even during complete turmoil and trouble, there is an underlying degree of contentment, of peace, of happiness. That when we learn to connect to that, we become untouchable in a way that most people will never realize.

So I let go of the problems at the moment, and began to be happy. I began to smile again and deal with the problems around me. I started to open up my eyes and see things as they happened around me.

To this day I still remember sitting there thinking that I had no idea what I was going to do or how I was going to make it through. Of course everything passed and other hurdles and hills came about in time. This is the nature of life and living, the constant ups and downs.

In the end, I remembered how important it is to connect and experience happiness no matter what is going on. So when you find yourself sitting the middle of complete chaos and turmoil, remember to smile. Remember to open up and experience happiness, because it is always there if you let it be. No matter what is going on and what is happening right now in your life.

Happiness is a choice, a state of mind. It is there when you choose to let it into your life, and it goes away when you take your eyes off of it. Emotions change moment to moment, but under all of that you should be able to build a solid foundation of happiness and contentment and peace. Then, and only then, will you truly be able to do as you wish, will you truly be free.