Where happiness lies

 It's all in the details. Any decorator will tell you that. That statement holds true in life as well. For that reason I feel you should examine your life often and closely. It is all too easy to gloss over the details or just plain ignore facts that may be problematic. In doing so you are selling a product that is less than what is represented. That product is you. All too often when others discover this, disappointment follows, that disappointment may lead to you being discarded. It is the fault of the product, not the consumer. Some will label this dishonesty and call you a fraud. If you knowingly practice such deceit that is an accurate statement. Attention to detail and self examination will go a long way to avoiding that.
 This self examination may take several forms. Quiet contemplation is one technique. Just turn off the television, radio and everything else. You don't need to concentrate on anything in particular, your mind will find what needs cleansing. The secret is to listen. I find reading a good book can have the same benefit. As the characters in the book confront whatever situation the author has placed them in, you begin to relate to that. Walking in another's shoes, so to speak, can be an enlightenment. For me, writing thoughts down may provide the examination. I have surprised myself on more than one occasion. It isn't always pleasant. It certainly is easier to talk or write about correct actions than to perform them daily. That is the detail I'm talking about. The details are the things that usually go unnoticed but provide the foundation for creation. A weak or unstable foundation will eventually disappoint or collapse entirely. We should pay particular attention to the details.
 I do think that we need to establish that foundation. In the modern jargon, just where are you coming from ? What values were you taught as a child ? I don't mean the ones you were told, but rather the ones that were practiced. Our parents or whoever raised us laid the first blocks. Did they practice what they preached ? What actions did they praise and punish ? Was it alright as long as you didn't get caught ? Or where you held to a higher standard ? It is a difficult thing to realize that perhaps your foundation isn't as stable as you thought it was. It is even more difficult to admit that you may have weakened that same foundation. Putting a batch on it to mask the underlining issue will not work in the long term. That is what I mean by just glossing over the details.
 If the details must be explained, they are probably not appreciated. That is to say, if I have to point them out to you, you probably didn't notice them. Learning to appreciate the details requires study. The actions behind those details is what is of importance. Those actions are usually patience, practice, and learning. The old adage, you can't rush quality, applies to life as well as construction. Our goal should be to live a life of quality. That is the finest accolade a person can receive. In the area where I was raised we had a simple description for that, " the finest kind. " A person that was genuine and true to their word would be of the finest kind. A person to emulate and admire. Each of us have many flaws, we are humans. We can correct those flaws if we become aware of them. Self discovery is the most effective method. Others will be quick to point them out, that is true. It really is in the details. Be patient with yourself and others. Each day is an opportunity for change. Each day is an opportunity for growth as well. Some days we just need to examine what we have already done. We should learn to appreciate the importance of the  details. That is where happiness lies.