World of Words

That real and lasting happiness…

A person when states that he has safely taken off a nail that was pinching his toes across his shoe depicts happiness. In another words, happiness is a feeling of relaxation that comes after the feeling of intense inconvenience, discomfort or pain. Though this happiness is temporary yet quite satisfactory.

From immemorial time man has been in quest of happiness, which connotes different things to different people. Thus, happiness to a woman whose maternal instincts are strong is the well-being and happiness of her children, whereas to a miser it comotes money, money and only money. This is because happiness is contrary to subjective and relative for ‘For what is one man’s meat is another man’s poison.’ It is therefore, not only difficult but also almost impossible to define happiness from one man’s view. However we can tentatively state that happiness arises out of the satisfaction of one’s desires, irrespective of they are.

It is obvious that one cannot set a formula for happiness but we can a leaf out of the book of the wise and experienced that have lived in the broad stream of life and have come out unscratched. Leafing through their experience we can formulate some do’s and don’ts to avoid unhappiness. We should always ask “God to give us the courage to change things we can, to endure the things we cannot change and the wisdom to know the difference.” Health and wealth are the two essential conditions of happiness though by themselves they cannot secure happiness. In addition to these two basic conditions there are other essential conditions for happiness. We should always be contended with our lot, we should try to be cheerful and optimistic under all circumstances, and thus follow the saying,’ A bird in the hand is better than two in the bush.’ We should not live a selfish and self-centered life but gel freely with the people around and try to be helpful to others.
Finally we must always remember that real and lasting happiness is not external but internal. It cannot come merely from possessions, comforts and luxuries. It is the result of an attitude, a state of mind that enables us to remain contended with what we have achieved to preserve our peace of mind under all circumstances and to carry on our duties without expecting results or rewards. A happy man is at peace with himself and his surroundings and possesses tranquility of mind, which remains unruffled by external circumstances and conditions.

© 2008 Rainbow-Line.org.