The other night, while lazily scrolling through YouTube, I stumbled upon an old clip of Judy Garland on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. Intrigued, I clicked, expecting a glimpse of the enchanting performer who once embodied Dorothy Gale. But what I saw wasn’t the Judy we imagine when we hear her iconic voice soaring through Over the Rainbow. She seemed a little out of it—her sparkle dulled; her laughter tinged with something heavy, almost weary.

The video was filmed in 1968, so likely only months before she was found dead on the bathroom floor of her London home by husband Mickey Deans. At just 47 years old, Garland, it seemed, had already lived a lifetime. The image that lingered in the clip was not that of the ageless talent who had stolen the hearts of millions, but of a woman in turmoil. Her jokes felt forced, her eyes distant, and her once radiant personality seemed to flicker like a candle on the verge of going out.

It was hard to watch, knowing the tragic end that was soon to follow. And yet, it felt all too familiar. Judy, I get it girl. I’m tired too.

As children, many of us are raised on stories like The Wizard of Oz, teaching us that if we follow our dreams and believe in the possibility of something better, we can reach that elusive pot of gold—pure happiness. We grow up thinking that happiness is a destination, a place we’ll one day reach if we work hard enough, dream big enough, love well enough. The idea of that perfect, unblemished joy is a powerful narrative, one that makes us optimistic and hopeful as we step into adulthood, believing that someday, we’ll get there.

But then…… life happens.

We hit roadblocks, gain perspective, and miss opportunities. We realize that the rainbow we thought we could chase isn’t as tangible as we once believed. As we get older, the weight of responsibilities, disappointments, losses, and unfulfilled expectations slowly chips away at that childhood optimism. What was once a clear and simple vision of joy begins to feel like an impossible dream.

And maybe that’s okay.

Perhaps, just like Judy, we start to see the distance between the dream of happiness and the reality we’re living in. We begin to feel the pressure of always striving for something just beyond our reach, knowing deep down that the very thing we’re chasing may never fully materialize. And in that space—somewhere between childhood hope and adult disillusionment—we begin to question whether the pursuit of pure happiness is even worth it.

The truth is, the idea of perfect, everlasting happiness is more fairy tale than reality. Life isn’t about reaching some mythical destination where everything is flawless. It’s messy and unpredictable, filled with highs and lows, joy and sorrow, victory and defeat. But within that mess lies something far more profound than the simple idea of happiness.

Within that mess lies meaning.

But this doesn’t mean we shouldn’t chase our dreams or set new goals. Dreams inspire us to grow, to strive, to become better versions of ourselves. Goals give us a sense of purpose and direction. The key is understanding that our dreams aren’t meant to be flawless destinations but rather a road map or outline—something to move toward or follow, even if the journey doesn’t go as planned. It’s about finding joy and meaning in the process, rather than pinning all our hopes on the outcome.

Perhaps the pursuit of “over the rainbow” is what weighs us down, when instead we can find beauty in the moments right here, on this side of the rainbow. Life’s richest experiences—love, connection, growth, resilience—don’t come from perfection but from navigating its imperfections.

So maybe the goal isn’t to reach that mythical place of pure happiness. Maybe it’s about embracing the journey itself, with all its complexities. Maybe it’s about finding small, shimmering rainbows in the everyday—those fleeting but meaningful moments of joy, connection, and wonder that remind us why the journey is worth it.

Judy Garland’s story reminds us of the dangers of chasing an impossible ideal. It’s easy to focus on the turbulence of her life—the addictions, the controlling stage mother, the string of divorces, and the relentless pressure to live up to her image. But to stop there is to overlook the incredible legacy she left behind. The joy she brought to millions through her performances, the way her voice could stir an emotion deep within, and her fierce love for her children—these were her moments of happiness, her shimmering rainbows in a life that wasn’t easy.

Maybe, in her own way, Judy did find her rainbow—not as a perfect, unblemished dream, but in those fleeting yet meaningful moments of connection and love.

In the end, the rainbow isn’t somewhere out there. It’s here. In the way we choose to live, love, and find meaning in all the moments, both bright and stormy.

Now go out and find your own f’n rainbow.