What is Happiness?

What is happiness? As defined by the Merriam Webster’s dictionary, it means:

However, if you ask different people what defines happiness, you will most likely not get the same response. Happiness to each individual means different things. We are constantly surrounded by images of people who appear successful and happy. But behind the scenes, we all struggle at times. Many people equate happiness to being rich, but they will often be surprised at how very few rich people are actually happy. We are constantly under peer pressure from society and from our families to strive for success which many equate with money and happiness. It is sadly not so because along the way, we will feel absolutely stressed out and in turn, feel depressed instead of being happy (or successful). 

While happiness can be universally characterized by feelings of joy, gratitude, and contentment, the roadmaps we use to arrive there are entirely unique. For some, being happy can seem like an ephemeral concept, a fleeting feeling brought on by success or good fortune. For others, cultivating happiness from within is the most worthy pursuit, whether it’s by slowing down and appreciating the present moment, developing a meditation practice, or reconnecting to your purpose. To quote the German-Swiss poet Herman Hesse, “Happiness is a how; not a what. A talent, not an object.”

There is some truth to these wise sayings:

• Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony. – Mahatma Gandhi –
• Happiness is not a goal…it is a by-product. – Eleanor Roosevelt –
• Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions. – Dalai Lama –
• We tend to forget that happiness doesn’t come as a result of getting something we don’t have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have. – Frederick Koenig –
• Don’t wait around for other people to be happy for you. Any happiness you get you’ve got to make yourself. – Alice Walker –
• Those who are not looking for happiness are the most likely to find it, because those who are searching forget that the surest way to be happy is to seek happiness for others.
  – Martin Luther King Jr.
• The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts. – Marcus Aurelius –

HOW HAPPY ARE YOU AT WORK? 

Work is a big part of life, but not something we always associate with happiness. Yet happy people are successful people – and organizations with happy people perform better.

How can we find fulfillment in a world full of challenges?

Many think that happiness comes from getting what we want. But life rarely works out that way. We can live a happier and more fulfilling life – even when things don’t go to plan by controlling our thoughts and avoiding negative company. It is true that we are the company we keep. We have all heard the saying that “birds of the same feather flock together,” meaning that the company you keep reflects your personality. A smart person surrounds himself with other smart people. If you hang out with  trash, you will be perceived as trash. Unfortunately, this is the way of the world and it is somewhat true. You really are only as good as the company you keep. As you go through life, you begin to realize how important having true friends really is. These days, fake friends are named ‘frenemies’ which I will never tolerate, now that I am in my senior years. While some beg to differ but I think that having the right type of friends will enhance your life and give you some happiness. I believe that ‘no man is an island’ because as human beings, we need one another to thrive, to grow to learn in our respective lives. 

Navigating your 20s is a difficult and confusing time and one better traveled with wholesome, close friends by your side. Unfortunately, as we go through time, we realize the people we once counted on are no longer the people we once thought they were. Through time, we will know who are true friends are especially when we are in need during our deepest, darkest hours. 

IN PURSUIT OF TRUE HAPPINESS

Personally, I feel that true happiness is the happiness that kids experience. The innocence of a child who is laughing heartily, you just know that they are experiencing true happiness. There are no hidden stress and concerns for the future. They are just ecstatic, at that moment in time. This feeling is like an electric current that just radiates throughout your body and makes you feel totally alive. As time goes on, when we take on the mantle of responsibilities of adulthood, coupled with external surrounding forces of the good and the bad experiences in our lives that make it harder for us to enjoy true happiness, like that of a child. Is there a possibility that we can find true happiness? I feel that it is always ‘mind over matter.’ If we do not mind, it does not matter.

IS TRUE HAPPINESS INTERNAL OR EXTERNAL?

Many people think that happiness is internal and that they can choose to be happy whenever they like. Others are of the opinion that happiness depends on external stimuli and factors and that the feeling of happiness is merely a reaction to these factors.

For instance, if you get promoted at your job, you feel happy. If your girlfriend accepts your proposal of marriage, you feel ecstatic. This is only natural. However, it becomes a problem when you only rely on external cues for your happiness. This can be seen in people of today who run after materialistic things hoping they’ll be happy once they have them. Therefore, it is important to understand that while external factors may play an important role in your happiness, you should also enhance this feeling from within yourself.   

THE IMPORTANCE OF TRUE HAPPINESS

Do you really know the importance of happiness? Do you? If most people in the world did, they would be leading much happier lives or at least taking steps to ensure that they do. Why are there so many depressed people in the world? Let us take a deeper look into the role of happiness in our life. 

We can safely say that a life of happiness is a life of fulfillment.

If you’re able to live happily, every single area of your life will be greatly augmented. Your career will be better, your relationships will be better, you will be more likely to achieve your goals and dreams, and so much more.

The reason for this is simple. When you’re happy, you give your best. And when you give your best, the results are obviously going to be good.

Being truly happy means experiencing much lower levels of stress and anxiety. These two are the silent killers in the modern-day world. They are huge contributors to several lifestyle diseases like heart diseases, neurological disorders, diabetes, high blood pressure, and other health issues.

So, by being happy, you avoid allowing these negative emotions to take root. The result is that you live a healthier life, which in turn enhances your happiness further.

Now that we’ve established the role of happiness in our lives, let’s take a look at some of the keys to finding it.

Contrary to what most people believe, you don’t have to go out of your way to generate feelings of true happiness. Sometimes, you can find true happiness in the simplest things in life. 

When there is heavy rainfall after a period of intense heat, I’m sure you feel happy from within. When you finally find your favorite brand of snacks at the grocery store after weeks of searching, I’m sure that gives you happiness.

When you meet your best friend after months, it’s sure to give you tears of joy. These are simple things, that don’t cost you an arm and a leg and yet make you happy.

Gratitutude is important as well. If we are thankful for what we have and not yearn for what we do not have, we are happy and not disatisfied. Envy and comparisons with what other people have that keeps us striving for more and sometimes, never is enough.  As the saying goes ‘it is better to give than to receive.’ When you help someone in need in a selfless manner, you experience strong positive emotions within yourself. It makes you happy knowing that you made a difference in someone’s life, even if it was small. That is the spirit of giving that makes us happy.

Last but certainly not least is “doing what you love”. Each one of us has something that we simply love doing, without any reason.

If you can find a way to make that into a career, you can experience true happiness almost every single day of your life and I think that is something we all should strive for.

#happinessstartswithyou