They say all what matters in life is happiness. You need not worry too much about the future and live in the present and be happy instead.
Happy Happy Happy. It is easy to say than to be in reality. So what is happiness?
The oxford dictionary says Happiness is the feeling you have when things give you pleasure and can be quite a lively feeling; contentment is a quieter feeling that you get when you have learned to find pleasure in things.
In philosophy, happiness is translated from the Greek concept of eudaimonia, and refers to the good life, or flourishing, as opposed to an emotion.
In psychology, happiness is a mental or emotional state of well-being which can be defined by, among others, positive or pleasant emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy. Happy mental states may reflect judgements by a person about their overall well-being.
Wikipedia says, since the 1960s, happiness research has been conducted in a wide variety of scientific disciplines, including gerontology, social psychology, clinical and medical research and happiness economics.
I didn’t know that happiness was a matter of research in itself which is being studied for ages.
Now, it means, each day every human is striving towards a happier life. This actually creates a scenario where the person is not content with the present life and hoping for a better future and telling himself that “I am fine, I am okay, I am happy.”
Life is not just about being happy. Life is about learning, about being agile. World is changing everyday and one needs to adapt to it. And not being concerned about being happy, and not thinking too much but being focused towards goals and responsibilities is what life is about.
Say I love cooking. I have a family of 4. I have a job. I cook everyday for my husband, my kids and me. And I feel it like a job. What if I start enjoying it and start preparing meals with more happiness. But does it matter, will the food taste better if I cook it being happy or I cook being normal like I am doing my job. That’s a mystery to me.
If you’ll look for happiness, you’ll end being sadder instead. Because now you’ll focus on things which make you happy and if you don’t get that thing or fail at it, you’ll be sad. So why not just focus on life than looking forward being happy everyday.
I understand, it is very challenging. Everybody is looking for a better tomorrow. I think the best way is not to push yourself hard and not link your happiness with things or people. You have one life. I think laughter is the best solution. You may not be happy, you had a bad day, but you can always read a comic book or watch a comedy movie and feel good. Yes, feeling good should be the goal is life than being just happy.
I asked mom, “Are you happy?” She went into a deep thought and said she’s fine, she’s okay, she’s happy. And that one question I asked her triggered gloom and her entire life flash backed in front of her, where she compared reality with her hopes and dreams. And she must have felt a little less. This is the same question we ask ourselves everyday and end up being trapped in emotional stress of not accomplishing dreams.
It’s the want of happiness, which causes pain. The desire which never ends. God created happiness I think to create sadness. The trick is to feel good instead.
A couple of days later I asked my mom, “Are you good?” She said oh yes I am. And yes is good actually. So goodness is the key. Not thinking much, and focusing on whatever is going on, whatever is best for the body, mind and soul.
We are all good and will be good everyday.
Have a good day.