Author Nathaniel Hawthorne claimed, "Happiness is as a butterfly which, when pursued, is always beyond our grasp, but which if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you. "

"The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance, the wise grows it under his feet, " said American writer James Oppenheim.

According to English writer, painter, and all-around creative genius William Blake, "The essentials to happiness are something to love, something to do, and something to hope for. "

American playwright and novelist Thornton Wilder has a few words of wisdom for those who've actually found the ever-elusive thing called happiness: "My advice to you is not to inquire why or whither, but just enjoy your ice cream while it's on your plate."

And our all-time favorite quote, from beloved Peanuts scribe Charles Schulz: "Happiness is a warm puppy. "

We'll close this off with a poem that makes us happy. Enjoy!

A Blessing

Just off the Highway to Rochester, Minnesota
Twilight bounds softly forth on the grass.
And the eyes of those two Indian ponies
Darken with kindness.
They have come gladly out of the willows
To welcome my friend and me.
We step over the barbed wire into the pasture
Where they have been grazing all day, alone.
They ripple tensely, they can hardly contain their happiness
That we have come.
They bow shyly as wet swans. They love each other.
There is no loneliness like theirs.
At home once more,
They begin munching the young tufts of spring in the darkness.
I would like to hold the slenderer one in my arms,
For she has walked over to me
And nuzzled my left hand.
She is black and white,
Her mane falls wild on her forehead,
And the light breeze moves me to caress her long ear
That is delicate as the skin over a girl's wrist.
Suddenly I realize
That if I stepped out of my body I would break
Into blossom.

- James Wright