Every individual in this world is constantly in search of something or the other. While some are busy in addressing their materialistic needs some others are engulfed in their search for a happy life. The irony with the world is that while we are busy browsing self motivating books and articles in libraries and internet in the quest to learn the ‘secrets’ of a happy life we often fail to appreciate the simple things in life that bring true happiness. Little do we realize that happiness need not be searched; it resides everywhere around us…and within us.
What is a happy life?
There can be a number of definitions of a happy life. Happiness actually depends on our priorities in life. Just as priorities vary from one individual to the other, in the same way concept of happiness differ from one person to other. This means if leading a luxurious life is your main priority, then happiness for you will mean living in a posh villa, showing off your expensive jewellery collections and so on.
He is so happy…I am not!
This is one of the greatest causes of an unhappy life. Cursing our life, comparing it with others can never bring happiness in our life. Instead it will push away happiness away from us. It is useless to compare because we have no idea what difficulties they might be going through. Only because someone is richer, taller or smarter than us does not necessarily mean they are free from hardships of life. Like every other living beings, they have their problems too.
The greatest happiness comes from the simplest things
Have you ever felt this? A road trip with your closest buddies, watching the sunset relaxing in a sea beach, a small unplanned get together, a late night romantic movie with your partner lying on the sofa, playing video game with the kid next door, training your dog are some of the simplest activities that can give you immense pleasure. Ask yourself honestly when the last time you did any of these was!
Have control over your desires
So you want that I-phone only because your friend bought it last week? Or because you think it is a status symbol to flaunt one? Oh come on! Stop faking and fooling yourself. Today it is a phone, tomorrow it will be a car and the story will go on and on. If you really want to compete with people there are some other productive ways to do so. It is normal to have desires…but definitely not okay to be controlled by these desires.
Are we happy enough?
Having discussed about happiness, it is time to ask yourself-“Am I really happy with my life?” If your heart says no, then find out what exactly is stopping you from being happy. And if you do so, you are most likely to make a disturbing discovery about this issue that you yourself are responsible for most of the sorrows and pains in your life.
Instead of blaming others for ruining your happiness, concentrate on shielding yourself from the negativity of life and rectifying your errors. Peace and happiness comes from within. A person who knows how to bring out, cherish and appreciate the inner happiness can adjust and stay happy even amidst the most hostile situations.
i) If I say “Do not give importance to money”, you probably would run after me with a baseball bat in your hand…lol. We all know how important money is and how hard it is to earn even a single penny. But relations and people are equally important too. Can’t we maintain a balance between professional and personal life?
ii) No matter how tough your life seems, always find out a reason to thank god for all the good things that has happened in your life till now. Thank him for all those things you have got even without asking. Your family, parents, good upbringing and friends are some of those precious assets which should make you feel happy.
iii) Almost every now and then we curse our lives for some of the silliest reasons. Is it fair? There may be a guy nearby your locality who cannot walk but still manages to smile; and you are crying because your sandals have become ‘outdated’? Huh!
No matter how hard your life may seem to you, remember the fact that there are people out there who are struggling even harder to make both ends meet. Nobody in this world is free from pain, sorrows and sufferings. This is life and we have to accept it. The art is to find happiness amidst sufferings.
Over to you
Are you happy?
Great reminder, Tuhin! My cousin and I were talking about how loving first yourself must be the priority in life. We took a well-deserved weekend getaway and it was all about us. We did whatever we wanted to do with no obligations and it helped us get out of the daily routine. Thanks for sharing.
Hello Sabrina, I like your way of discovering inner happiness…
I think many people do not ever dare to analyse themselves. They seem frightened to confront the person within. They would rather connect with strangers using meaningless social media than have a conversation with themselves.
The first step to happiness is to love yourself. Only then can you love others
Thank you Philip..well said
Happiness is momentary whereas joy is permanent. As we stride through life we must decide to be content with all we all have.
Yes Phoenicia, the art is to be content with whatever we have!
I agree with you on a couple issues here. I don’t think material things are the path to happiness either. Simple things may be and I also think unexpected things often lead to greater happiness.
True Ken! Over expectation kills peace!
Well said! I think gratitude plays a pretty significant role in our ability to feel and express happiness, at least it does for me. I also think money is important, but only as a means to an end. For better or worse, money affords us better health care, living arrangements and many other things that simply make life easier. Of course, it does not take the place of relationships, but it does relieve a heck of a lot of stress when it comes to day-to-day living.
You definitely can’t gain happiness from possessions. When I was a little kid, we weren’t poor but we certainly didn’t have the money to be buying the “latest” everything. When I was about 10 years old, my father went into a new industry and started making a lot of money and he would come home every night very distracted and stressed. Honestly, the first part of my childhood was way happier. In place of possessions, I had my parents’ time, and that to me was way more valuable. Happiness can definitely be the simple things in life.
I will admit, I am happy.
Everyday to me is a gift, and I say my prayers thanking the almighty for each and every day I get.
Happiness is internal, the world might not be a nice place, and if you are unhappy, then you are not nice too. You just doubled the amount of un-niceness you are exposed to, one in fact coming from inside.
You are right Tuhin, we are the ones who define what is happiness for ourselves. Happiness may come from possessions but the desires keep on piling up and the cycle goes on. We must not chase materialistic things and rather search for the wealth of joy & happiness within.
Two points:
(i) The “greatest happiness comes from the simplest things” section of this post indirectly makes an important point: real happiness comes from experiences vis-à-vis possessions.
(ii) Comparing yourself to others is a very normal and human thing to do, and if you can do so in an intelligent, productive, and non-obsessive way, then there really isn’t anything wrong (and there can be a lot right) with it.