Let the goal become clarity, not happiness

Clarity is beyond Happiness.
When the mind is unlocked we are awake; the impurity preventing us from opening the mind to the true nature of reality is there to be seen, yet hidden by the mind itself.

The process of awakening may occur over many decades, but then suddenly we are instantly awakened. We see that the mind was deceiving us into thinking 'I am the mind'; it was deceiving us into thinking I am the emotion that rises & falls. Yet these emotions are simply experiences created by the collection of scattered thoughts, which are created by the winds of moments in time. Thoughts, which are, simply aggregate of information; these aggregates creating an emotion (which I can experience), but these emotions are not I.
These emotions are all impermanent, unsatisfactoriness, and not I. 
These emotions are simply metaphysical moments, nothing more - nothing less.
My mind has no business clinging to these things.

When we awaken we can recognize (see) the emotion's transient nature, and we become at peace with the process; indeed we become fulfilled by the process itself.

In order to be awake, one simply needs to leave these experiences alone. Witness the emotions that rise and fall; enjoy the experience of the witnessing, and then simply allow them to move on - as is their natural path. Emotions are energy-in-motion (they are not mine to hold; they are not me).

On the day I finally saw the truth, I clung to an emotion that briefly arose in me from the knowledge I had experienced. For the briefest of moments I clung to the emotion of fear; it lasted but only 1 breath, then I released it. Perhaps this was the final fetter of my suffering? The fear I clung to, the fear that I would forget this awareness that I am; and then I smiled, and let it go. (I released the clinging, and embraced the unknown).

My mind is now at peace, the cycle of clinging and aversion are truly broken when I am awake; and now, with clarity, comes the enjoyment of the remainder of this journey. I will practice to be awake, to be one with peace-of-mind. Happiness, unhappiness, and all the emotions that fall under their umbrellas are but experiences to be witnessed, not emotions to claim as Self.

I understand, now I am awake; I shall thoroughly enjoy the practices of not forgetting; I can simply experience, let go, and enjoy the next moment of clarity each time.

With my deepest thanks to all of my teachers (with notable thanks to) Neem Karoli Baba; Zen Master Doam Sunim; Phra Bodhiñanathera; Bhikkhu Bodhi.