I am Happy! What does it mean to be happy? A loaded question. Perhaps something we are still struggling to explain after centuries of Philosophers, Psychologists, and Gurus.
Is being able to buy anything you wish in the world happiness? No. There are those who can buy almost anything in the material world, but still struggle to find happiness. A very unfortunate and recent example of this was the death one of my favorite actors – Robin Williams who gave up his life.
At the same time, giving up pursuit of money and worldly pleasures is not an answer to reach our ultimate goal. Most human activities are carried out to reach this elusive state of mind – Happy. But it is a state of mind and we can find happiness in small, everyday things if we keep things in perspective. There are a lot of things that make me happy, but here are few that are absolutely delightful.
Happiness is the first monsoon shower after a hot, sizzling summer that bring the aroma of wet earth. No matter how bad my mood is, the cool rain, the smell of wet earth, the thundering clouds, the blowing winds are irresistible.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQ3uhnByS1k
Happiness is tasty food. I love to experiment with my food. Eating and Cooking. Nothing is more satisfying than devouring a dish the creator has poured his heart and soul into. I have found that a well prepared meal has a very positive effect on my mood and lifts the spirit without other spirits.
Happiness is a blooming flower. There is no better way to start a day than to witness a flower in full bloom in your garden. Nothing teaches you patience better than gardening. Not matter how hard you try, you cannot hurry Nature. Nor can you predict when the next flower will bloom. You just have to work on your plants and enjoy the lovely bloom when it arrives.
Happiness is enjoying a book that makes you lose track of time. If you ask me, reading a good book is still the most interactive and engaging activity. And in spite of a swathe of digital gadgets and devices, nothing makes me happier than a good book.
Life is full of unpleasant interactions and times. But as Aristotle says, “Happiness depends on ourselves.” You can let the world decide if you are living a happy life or you can decide that for yourself. To thrive and live your life to the max, you need to find happiness in the mundane, the commonplace, and the simple.
“One swallow does not make a summer, neither does one fine day;
similarly one day or brief time of happiness does not make a person entirely happy.”
― Aristotle, The Nicomachean Ethics