A Journey Back Into Happiness

A Journey Back Into Happiness - Aaron Han (La Mirada High School, 10th Grade)

"That's enough, I quit!" Leo shouted, slamming his fist. For a decade, the 'successful' physicist had battled depression after losing the Nobel Prize he had promised his deceased wife. Each day felt as if bits of his life were being drained away. Desperate, Leo turned to the ‘Dream Machine,’ a device allowing users to consult their younger selves through dreams. He only had a few minutes in this state, but he would do anything to retrieve what had once been lost: joy. 

The machine glowed, and within moments, Leo plunged into a deep, surreal dream state. 

He found himself in a familiar yet distant place, the orphanage where he had spent part of his childhood. The scent of old wood filled the air. In the yard, he saw 7-year-old Leo, playing with a toy airplane, smiling, despite being an orphan who had lost his mother. 

Leo approached the boy. "Hey, kid," he called out. The young boy looked up. 

"Who are you?" young Leo asked, tilting his head in confusion. 

"I'm...you, from the future," old Leo replied, kneeling down to meet his younger self's gaze. Young Leo’s eyes sparkled in amazement. "Wow, really? What's it like being old?" 

Leo chuckled. "It's...complicated. But I only have a minute left. I have a question. What's the meaning of life? Why should I continue when I've failed to achieve what kept me going?" 

Young Leo furrowed his brow. After a moment, he smiled. "I don’t know the meaning of life. I just know I am happy when I play with friends and do what I like." 

Leo blinked. "That's it?" 

Young Leo nodded. "Yeah! Like flying this toy plane or painting pictures." 

The dream began to fade, and Leo woke up. He realized he had been chasing the wrong things, trying to fill the void left by his wife's death with professional success. True happiness wasn’t in the Nobel Prize or other external success; it was in finding joy in everyday moments. Happiness was never dependent on the size of the problem but in the smallest aspects that made it a little less of a problem. 

Leo started reconnecting with hobbies he had long abandoned and took up painting, something he had loved as a child but had set aside for his career. He spent more time outdoors, enjoying the beauty of nature. Life was not a chore anymore but a gift that started to become cherished. 

One day, while painting in the park, a little girl named Emily approached. "That's a pretty picture," she said. 

"Thank you," Leo replied. "Do you like to paint?" 

"Yes! But the orphanage said they can’t afford a brush," Emily responded.

Leo's heart skipped a beat. "You're from the orphanage?" 

The girl nodded. "My parents passed away in an accident a few days ago, and I have been in the orphanage since.” 

Leo handed her a spare brush. "Would you like to paint with me?" 

Emily nodded eagerly, and they spent the afternoon painting. Leo asked about her life and her feelings about transitioning to the orphanage. 

"How do you stay so happy?" Leo asked. 

She shrugged. "I like to draw and paint. It makes me feel close to my parents. I know they won’t come back, but I know that things can get better too. One time, I fell down while playing at the beach and I remember crying over a cut on my knee. But my mom said it would start to heal, and in a few days, you couldn’t even tell the cut existed. I went on to play like usual without worrying about the cut.” 

Leo began to share how he had also lost loved ones in the past. Emily then asked, "How did you get through it?" 

Leo smiled softly. "I found things that made me happy such as painting. I learned to find joy in small things despite the losses." 

Through these small changes and connections, Leo began to understand that while he couldn't change the past, he could shape his future. Happiness wasn't a destination; it was a journey, found in the smallest aspects of life and in doing what he loved. 

As weeks passed, Leo continued to paint in the park, and the little girl visited often. They bonded over their shared experiences of loss and the joy of creating art. Leo began volunteering at the orphanage, teaching art classes. He found joy in helping them discover their own happiness through creativity. 

One afternoon, Emily presented Leo with a painting she had made. It depicted a beach scene, with a small girl and her mother playing in the waves. "This is for you," she said, her eyes shining with pride. "It's like the story I told you.” 

Leo accepted the painting, feeling a deep sense of gratitude. "Thank you. It's beautiful." Emily smiled. "You know, I think my mom would be happy watching me paint." 

Leo nodded. "I think she would be too." 

Over time, Leo's bond with Emily grew. He felt a sense of responsibility and care for her. Wanting to provide her with the love and support she very much deserved, Leo decided to adopt Emily. 

On the day the adoption was finalized, Leo felt a mixture of joy and nervousness. Emily, now officially his daughter, held his hand tightly. "Are you happy?" she asked. 

Leo smiled, tears welling up. "Yes, Thank You.”

Emily grinned. "Me too. I’m glad we’re a family now." 

Although Leo knew he could never replace her parents, their relationship brought a new kind of happiness and fulfillment into his life. They found comfort and joy in their connection, understanding that while the past could not be changed, the future held endless possibilities for happiness. 

For the first time in years, Leo felt content. He had found a new purpose, family, and a renewed sense of joy within the simplest moments. Together, they navigated their journey, discovering that happiness is never lost but just needs to be found.