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What is Happiness?
Happiness, in literal meaning, is the feeling of joy, satisfaction, and fulfillment. But that’s just the basic definition. It’s deeply personal and can come from various experiences and sources. Think about it: each person derives joy in their unique way. Each of us derives joy in different things. For example, some people find happiness in a cheesy pizza, savoring the taste, while others avoid it, thinking about their health goals instead. It’s a matter of concern for them as they don’t want unhealthy indulgence.
The Subjectivity of Happiness
You see, different people have different opinions on the same things. It’s all about perspective. Happiness is crucially subjective. That may sound simple, but explaining happiness can be challenging. For me, happiness brings a true sense of joy—a state of peace we want to stay in. Happiness is tricky because, as humans, we have confused minds and are often unclear about what truly makes us happy. Life would be simpler if we had straightforward clarity on our goals and desires.
Yet, as we know, life is not easy.
The Role of Materialism in Happiness
Often, people find happiness in materialism. Many people consider happiness in luxury items, branded clothing, and foreign trips. Money brings them authority. Money is their source of joy. We often think happiness lies in material things, but that’s only part of the story. Real happiness doesn’t lie in materialism. I would not say materialism is nothing because it can help you achieve genuine happiness. Materialism gives you satisfaction and status. Recognition, which you derive from materialism, could provide you with joy. It’s often limited in how much it can fulfill us on a deeper level. But happiness is far beyond it.
Contrasting Perspectives Within Families
Happiness and satisfaction also depend on the individual’s needs and desires.
I’ll give an example again: My sister always desires luxury cars. She’d surely buy a car if she had given lakhs of Rupees. But my mother thinks it’s a waste of Money. A simple vehicle would also serve the same purpose. She would instead put the Money in gold. People of the same family have different perspectives on the same subject.
One of my friends is crazy about clothing and jewelry. She always wants to get dressed up like a diva and wants everybody around her to always look presentable. In my eyes, she is insane, and I am a person who would seek comfort over fashion. Happiness is all about perspective; what brings joy to one person may hold little value to another. How we choose to see and appreciate things shapes our experience of happiness.
The Evolution of Happiness Over Time
Time is another crucial factor in happiness; what brings us joy today might feel 10 years from now. As kids, we long for toys and fireworks, but as teenagers, our focus shifts to good grades and good looks. As adults, peace and financial stability become more important. Our perspective on happiness naturally evolves with time and life’s changing priorities.
The Importance of Internal Happiness
Let me share something from my experience. I have plenty of material indulgences, from fancy sneakers to stylish watches, tasty treats, and so on. Yet, nothing brings me joy when I’m in a negative mood. I question everything I have, wondering if I deserve it. But when I’m feeling optimistic, I enjoy all these things thoroughly. So, instead of searching for happiness outside, I believe in being motivated and driven to stay happy from within. Yes, it may sound a bit like a cliché, but it’s something I’ve lived. Happiness is affected by so many factors—Money, appearance, and career growth. I’m trying to say that happiness isn’t generic, nor can it be measured. I’m not a philosopher or someone with extensive life experiences to share; I’ve simply provided some real-life examples I’ve encountered. To gain true wisdom, I, too, need to explore my inner self. Still, I’d like to share my thoughts on happiness: it’s crucial to understand yourself first. Sometimes happiness finds us, but we must work for it more often. Without effort, we can’t achieve what we want, need, or desire. I find happiness in my parents’ well-being. My involvement may be temporary, but this is something I hold dear. “But everything is achievable with the right action and a sane mind. Focus on yourself and your goals; along the way, you’ll discover what makes you genuinely happy. Just keep working.
The Interconnection Between Peace,
Positivity, and Happiness
I am resting my words with another piece of advice: To experience true happiness, start by managing your routine and lifestyle. Wake up early, greet the sun, nourish your body with healthy food, spend quality time with loved ones, and work with dedication. These small steps create positivity. Positivity leads to peace, and peace paves the way to happiness. Everything is interconnected. I’ve tried it, and it works—now, it’s your turn to try it.
It’s a lovely reminder that happiness is within our reach when we focus on the right things.
I remember a beautiful line from the movie- 3 Idiots. Do not run after success; run after Excellence; success will come by default. That’s an inspiring line. But I would like to modify it in our context- Do not run after happiness; run after peace, and happiness will follow by default.
Peace and Excellence are things you must chase.
It’s a wise reminder to prioritize mental well-being in a world that often encourages the opposite.