Happiness – We all wish for happiness when we send our good wishes, greetings, and blessings. Merriam-webster dictionary defines Happiness as “a state of well-being and contentment, joy, prosperity, a pleasurable or satisfying experience”. Everybody talks about the “pursuit of happiness”. Aristotle once said “happiness depends upon ourselves”.
Well, I agree to disagree happily. Talking about happiness in a theoretical and philosophical sense is easy. But pursuing happiness in reality is a challenge. Happiness is a relative concept. Definition of Happiness is different for each individual. Person A might get happiness out of earning more. Person B might get happiness out of spending more time with family even if he has to sacrifice their earnings. Person C may get happiness from doing something for the community even if it is at their own cost. And achieving the individual goals of happiness needs support of the surrounding ecosystem. It depends on not just ourselves but on the people around us, the environment around us.
Person A may work harder than others to earn better but whether they will actually get it depends on people who value their work and decide their pay. Person B may strive hard to complete work on time and be with family but their employers or bosses might force them to spend more and more time at work. Person C may try hard to work for the community but whether they will get the opportunity to do so depends on the community.
Thus, our pursuit of happiness, depends a lot on the universe we are in. What is important for us may not be that important for others.
So how to be happy, you say? Well, there is always a work around.
First decide what makes you truly happy. Don’t be guided by the family, friends, peers and other outside influencers. Have a heart to heart chat with your heart and understand what makes you feel Joy.
Secondly, decide how to achieve that joy. What will you need to do to be happy? Do you need to have a talk with your team to add more meaning to your job? Do you need to change jobs to be happy? Do you need to plan time-outs to follow your hobby? Do you need to work with an NGO to satisfy your hunger for social good?
Thirdly, mould your ecosystem. Communicate to them clearly your needs and inform them why you are doing what you are doing. Take their support to find alternative solutions, if available and get their buy-in.
Fourthly, do all that you feel will make you happier at heart. Plan things out with your mind so that you have a foolproof plan to help you survive through everything. Don’t let the heart take over on this step. Once the heart & mind are set in one place, it is easier to execute any decision taken.
Lastly, be happy. Earn your happiness with your efforts and support from your ecosystem. Follow your own path towards pursuit of happiness.
Wish you a meaningful and successful pursuit of your own happiness!
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