One of the most illusive destinations in all of history is happiness. How can we define this difficult place we all want to reach. A recent study revealed that the people in Bangladesh were the happiest people in the world the USA ranked 46th.
Some people say:
Happiness is defined by wealth
Happiness is defined by prestige
Happiness is defined by family well being
Happiness is defined by health.
Happiness is defined by friendship
The great minds of the ages have attempted to answer this crucial question.
Epicureanism stated that pleasure is the supreme good and main goal of life.
“To be loved and loved in return,” says Nat King Cole the singer.
“No man is an Island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main; if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friends or of thine own were; any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.” John Donne
If you asked a child what is happiness, they might say, “ When I get a hug from mommy or get a new toy.”
Many people think:
Happiness comes when I get this play station III
Happiness comes when I finish school
Happiness comes when I get married
Happiness comes when I have a son.
Happiness comes when I get a job.
It is always something in the future.
If you asked a daughter of an ill father it might be happiness is my daddy getting better.
If you asked an old man in his rocking chair he might say happiness is surviving the vagaries of youth and reaching old age, while enjoying the smiles and laughter of his grandchildren.
If you asked a mother happiness is watching her family thrive after all the sacrifices she has made over the years.
Happiness can be shaped fundamentally by our thinking. One situation can be interpreted as happiness by one person while that same situation will go unnoticed by another.
Take the concept of wealth. A poor farmer in Peru is happy with what he has, while a spoiled rich kid is never happy with anything.
Seeking genuine happiness is something like squeezing air the more your squeeze the less your have. Go with the flow of life and happiness will follow. Happiness comes with the striving, it comes with the effort to help others, its comes with the struggle.
“Pleasure is very seldom found where it is sought; our brightest blazes of gladness are commonly kindled by unexpected sparks.” Samuel Johnson (1709 – 1784)
Happiness in rich countries is more dependent on personal relationships, good health and job satisfaction.
Why is everyone happy but me?
Because they see beauty and goodness in everything.
Why do I not see this? Because you do not see outside what you fail to see inside.
If you left your bed this morning with health rather than illness……….you are more blessed than the million who will not survive this month.
If you have never experienced the peril of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the anguish of torture, or the pain of starvation…….you are ahead of a half a billion people in the world.
If you have food in the refrigerator, a shirt on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep…you are richer than 75% of this world.
If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace……. you are among the top 8% of the world’s wealthy.
If your parents are still alive and still married……..you are very rare,
If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful…..you are blessed because the majority can, but most do not.
If you can read and enjoy the riches of the the great books now, you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world that cannot read at all.
Guess what! Happiness is the journey not the destination. There is no better time to be happy than right now. Happiness if it is to be found is to found in the struggle, in the accomplishing of dreams long held.