In pursuit of happiness To be happy and contended is dream of every one whether rich or poor Is there a formula or recipe for perfect happiness?.The search is endless and efforts ciuntless , but unfortunately there is no perfect answer.Some spirutuals gurus believe and prescribe that the monent to be happy has to be postponed to the next world after death.Hence they mortify themselves of earthly pleasures to earn this desire of eternal bliss The standards, levels and barometer of happiness varies with different people For the rich and filthy it is possession of material goods,like cars homes .watches. designer clothes precious stones gold .silver beautiful wives, etc. wealth that money can. In this hot pursuit their peace is at risk because of their preoccupation to gather at all costs.There is no limit to their desires wants and needs.The more they have the more they crave and their moto, enough is not in their dictionary of satisfaction There is no survey about the billionaires or mumtibillionaries or most succesful people are the happiest people that world has known Some others seek happiness in power, pisitions and influence.Politicians for ex ample are breed of the kind.Their control over others by their dictats gives them high like drugs.But the moment they lose it they become miserable ,as the power is no more the intoxicant. Barbarism, sadistic brtuality and terrorism gives satisfaction for this section , as they wield power over the helpless by fear , but in the end they suffer the same fate. Those that are depressed and weighed down with failures seek refuse in drugs alcohol, gambling etc but are ruined completely in their attempt to search in vain Irresponsibility , lack of commitment, loneliness is joy for some There are those who are poor marginalised , who are in hot pursuit to possess what they imagine is the key to happiness that rich revel in.They seek comforts and pleasures that are far beyond their reach and thus these aspirations ruin their present life The middle class with all their sacrifice a, efforts try to get into the rich club and this pursuit encounter endless miseries too. The few who may succeed are a minuscule few and is not a rule to emulate. The happiest person on earth as the fable goes did not have a shirt on his back and that is irony of life Most of us are not satisfied or contended with what we have but search for what we do not have and intangible. The person in Africa went in search of diamonds, but as history records the biggest diamond mines were located in his own backyard.It is deception and illusion to compare happiness with others without parameters as sign of great joy and rejoicing The happiest and richest folks are those that have fewest wants;but these wise and age old addages are no more inspiration to our greed beyond reasonable needs There are a lot many things that make people happy like having children, success in examanitation, promotion in service windfall in a lottery. Marriage getting employed , the urge to travel, owning a dewelling , furnishing it with comforts that make life easy from drugery , good health , the talents that make us flourish.. Fame and popularity ,seeking appreciation recognition publicly through print and social media, forcing and demanding at times and clamouring for rewards and awards Mother Theresa is one such exampke who made lufe of others happy by her social, charitable and humanitarian services.Surely she derived limitless joy in her social obligations Doing good for goodness sake without expectations or return favour of obligation is desirable goal of happiness. There is immense joy that nothing can buy .as when you bring a smile on the face of others by words action and deeds.One act a day that touches the life of any one is recipe for happiness To long individuals are concerned and devote energies forr self benefit with minimum thoughts towards emeloriating the pain and sufferrings of others .It is me , mine and myself emphasis that is predominant. Sparing a thought for others should be a priority too. HOW we exaggerate our own conditions and self pity that prevents us from looking beyond our nose. A man was complaining about lack of shoes , when he noticed someone without legs The attitude and behaviour of sense of gratitude enhances our wellbeing.The words like gratitude and sorry generate immense joy. There is a lot of joy when we share company witg others not for what we can get but what we can contribute to the group towards betterment of sense of belonging Acceptance of our lot with a smile and positive attitude attitude can motivate us for better adjustment Getting involved in religious practices reading of sacred texts, , traditions, customs ,Meditation, Yoga can relieve stress ,generating better peace of mind and joy Listening to music, dancing and laughter release certain good feel chemicals enhance mood swings The route to determination of happiness is conscious efforts to make best use of the worst situation towards our l advantage. Suicides are frustrations of unfulfilled levels of our aspirations for happiness
Happiness is finally the state of mind and not connected permanently with physical factors. Creating happiness in our minds is paramount to state of happiness and depends primarily on self and ability to adjust to circumstances .Nelson Lopes Chinchinim