Well I don't know that I'm okay any more than anyone else is

"Well I don't know that I'm okay any more than anyone else is okay, I lead a happy life and a very full one - I have a happy marriage and my kids are all cheerful, and no one is finding fault with me, personally." These words from L. Ron Hubbard offer a candid reflection on the nature of happiness, contentment, and self-awareness. In a world obsessed with perfection and the constant pursuit of validation, Hubbard’s humility in acknowledging his happiness without claiming superiority speaks to a timeless truth: that life, at its core, is not about achieving some unattainable ideal, but about finding peace and fulfillment within the complexities of our existence.

Happiness, as Hubbard speaks of it, is not a grandiose claim to some flawless existence but a simple acknowledgment of having found balance in his life. He mentions the core aspects of what many of us seek: a happy marriage, cheerful children, and a sense of peace in his personal relationships. Yet, he is not blind to the fact that there are no guarantees in life, that happiness is not a state of constant perfection. This awareness brings a kind of grace to the way he reflects on his own life. Happiness, he suggests, is not a universal measure of “okayness,” but a personal experience of fulfillment despite the imperfections and struggles that all must face.

Consider the story of Marcus Aurelius, the great Roman emperor and philosopher, whose meditations were filled with reflections on personal peace amid great turmoil. As the ruler of a vast empire, Aurelius was surrounded by challenges that could easily erode one's sense of well-being. Yet, he understood that true happiness comes not from avoiding difficulties, but from cultivating inner contentment despite them. He faced wars, betrayals, and the inevitable suffering of life, but through his writings, we find a profound understanding that peace and happiness are not found in external perfection but in the way we relate to the world around us. Happiness, he teaches us, is about living in harmony with the flow of life, accepting its ebb and flow without clinging to any fleeting moment or ideal.

Much like Aurelius, Hubbard seems to suggest that life is about embracing the fullness of one’s existence, not about living in pursuit of some unreachably perfect version of it. His statement that no one is finding fault with him personally is a testament to a more profound self-acceptance. He acknowledges that perfection is a mirage and that true peace comes when we stop obsessing over what others think and instead focus on our own peaceful existence. This wisdom was echoed by Ralph Waldo Emerson, who wrote, "To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment." In essence, Hubbard’s life was one of recognizing and accepting his own peace, while understanding that the world is a dynamic, imperfect place. It is in acceptance of this that we can live fulfilled lives.

But there is also something deeply human in Hubbard’s quote: it is the recognition that, despite our desires to appear flawless, we all struggle. To admit, “I don’t know that I’m okay more than anyone else is okay,” is a statement of profound humility. It is a reminder that no one is immune to the trials of life, yet each person finds their own path toward peace. Each of us may have moments of doubt, periods of questioning, or sorrow, but these are not the defining factors of our life. What matters is how we navigate those moments, how we find fulfillment not in the absence of struggles but in the courage to embrace them.

The lesson here, dear ones, is that happiness is not a destination—it is a journey. It is not a life free of adversity or mistakes but one where we accept both the joy and the sorrow. Hubbard's words teach us that we need not be obsessed with being perfect or with having it all together. True happiness is found when we embrace the full spectrum of life—the good, the bad, and the in-between—and find peace with who we are in each moment.

So, I ask you to look within your own life and ask: Am I living a life of fulfillment, regardless of the imperfections I face? Can I find peace in the simple joys—the love of family, the contentment in my work, the gratitude for the moments of laughter and learning? Stop chasing perfection, and instead, embrace the wholeness of your journey. Happiness does not come from the absence of hardship but from our ability to navigate it with a heart full of acceptance and peace.