Buy a shirt, the next thing you want is a blazer; buy a blazer, next you want trousers; buy trousers, next you want a pair of shoes; buy a pair of shoes, next you want a dress and the list probably goes on. Will we ever be satisfied with what we have and is this what defines happiness for us? Happiness is, of course, relative, but most importantly happiness resides in the mind and our approach to life. Maybe we could all learn to be happier, if we chose not to dwell on the negative but concentrated on what’s positive around us.
A Little Bit More of Happiness
Life is beautiful; one should live every moment to the fullest as if it were one’s last. Right from birth till death, everyone goes through different phases in life. With all its glory and wonders, it is complicated, full of struggles and challenges. Many might give up but the people who don’t will face the brighter side of the day. We experience various situations in life and that is how we build, shape and mould ourselves and achieve in life. It’s not just fantasy that lingers in us but we exist with reality. As we live life we taste victory, defeat, pain, pleasure, sorrow, sadness, happiness and so on. It is full of ups and downs. In every situation our emotions are at work. In life we cannot be happy or sad all the time. No doubt life is beautiful, if we live and let others live. In the journey of life, the reason for a person’s peaceful and content-filled life is happiness, because through happiness we can find the key to live a satisfied life. Happiness is the positive range of emotions that we feel when we are content or full of joy. Human beings strive to find and keep happiness even when it’s as elusive as ever. Nobody is jolly and elated all the time, but we find that some individuals are definitely more fulfilled than others. So what does it take for an individual to possess happiness and lead a fulfilling life?
To bring happiness in our life it has little to do with materialistic needs, wants, goods, high status or high achievement; it boils down to our positive outlook and attitude in life. Inner peace is important in life. When we have peace of mind, happiness follows us, it comes from within us. We cannot deny the fact that there are problems in life but even if problems do exist yet we can still enjoy inner peace of mind and for that purpose we do not have to search for external factors. It is our self that can bring happiness in our life by maintaining the quality of the relationship that we keep by staying close to friends and family, sharing a deep, meaningful and purposeful conversation with them, having a compassionate heart, words of love, thoughtfulness, generous hearts, kindness, humbleness, helping others, making others smile, simply meeting people, forgiving others even if it is unforgivable because an attitude of forgiveness literally heals hearts, being satisfied and enjoying whatever life gives us be it in our family life, job, society etc, instead of grumbling. If we have all these values, virtues and qualities in us it is sure to bring happiness in our life. To be happy we need to be optimistic in every approach in life. Life will work wonders for those who think life is wonderful. It can give us every chance to appreciate the wonders. It is a fact that life is truly wonderful for those who think of it to be so.
I would like to leave you readers with a happy and inspirational poem, written by American writer Max Ehrmann in 1927. This poem was believed to be found in old St.Paul church, Baltimore dated 1692.
Desiderata
Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible, without surrender be in good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant, they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievement as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your career, however humble, it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is.
Many persons strive for high ideals and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself, especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the council of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune but do not distress yourself with imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars, you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you, and no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God.
Whatever you conceive him to be and whatever your labors and aspirations in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.