Way back in school, we were
taught about the basic necessities of life. They covered food, water, shelter
and clothing. Then came education, sanitation, healthcare and the like and
finally self-realization; that is if you get enough of the basic necessities
and luxuries before you kick the bucket! Fulfillment of all these needs, be it
basic or otherwise ensured a sense of satisfaction or happiness.
Defining Happiness is a
cumbersome job as the word is very latitudinous and it sprouts from various
sources. It can be biological like out of a kiss, a hug or physical intimacy.
It can be psychological like from appreciation or success. It can be spiritual
or philosophical like from leading a good life. Whatever way it is achieved,
happiness is a feeling which one cannot forego, however detached one maybe.
If you note, we are in a
continuous quest for happiness in everything we do daily. When we strive to
accomplish the work that we set aside for the day, we work hard to complete it
not to feel sad at the end of it all. To the contrary, we want to feel happy at
the end of it. Same is the case when an athlete runs a race, an engineer works
through days and nights to finish a high-rise, when a foodie goes in search of
new places to eat out, when a kid buys new games for his play-station, when a
music aficionado goes to a concert, when a wine connoisseur samples a vintage
wine. You name the situation and the aim of all that is happiness in whatever
form it maybe. The path to happiness may not always be easy and we may face
umpteen difficulties until we achieve what we aim for and the resulting
happiness. However, more the effort, sweeter the taste of happiness.
Well, did you note something
common in all the instances I cited above? In all the above instances, the
seeker is vying for happiness from outside. Now what if I say, we are all born
happy and we are always in a state of happiness. That we just refuse to see how
happy we are by getting ourselves entangled in the machinery of our respective
lives. A thought to explore?
Let me explain with an example. How
many of you have shut the wake up alarm in the morning to doze those 5 extra
minutes? I bet all of you would have. Ever thought of what sweet, magical
goodness those 5 minutes hold? Ever wondered why we crave for those 5 minutes
of ultimate satisfaction and happiness? Do you know where you go during those 5 extra minutes? You don’t work, don’t listen to music, don’t play your
favourite video game or sport, don’t watch your favourite rom-com or movie, don’t eat your favourite dish or
sip on your favourite poison and yet you get total happiness if you go back to
sleep for those 5 extra minutes. Doesn’t that mean you have to do absolutely
nothing for making yourself happy? You just need to be with yourself or should
I say within yourself!
So, stop searching for happiness
because you are already happy within! Start creating happiness instead, with
your bright wide smile, which I can’t see but am sure is beautiful!
