I am now convinced when I meet a happy person, that they are carrying an equal amount of worries and problems on their shoulders as the next person does. Positive people can be happy despite the hardships they are facing.
I used to think that people who appear happy, do not have any worries (or problems) and that I can only be happy when my current problems are solved. The fact is, by the time my current problems are solved, new ones start to appear. There are times of relative calm and peace (between two storms) but then new worries, problems, concerns, arguments form like clouds in our lives. That’s life!
Happiness vs the appearance of happiness
I need to remind myself here that not everyone who appears happy is genuinely happy. Many people smile, talk and laugh and seem really happy, while they are actually depressed. Robin Williams, one of the greatest comedians of all time, was painfully depressed while he was entertaining the world with his jokes and laughter. This could be because some people do not like to share their problems, cannot communicate their feelings, do not want to burden others with their hardships, or simply want to keep appearances etc.
Happiness comes from the inside
People who are genuinely happy, are so from the inside in spite of everything happening around them. Much of the wisdom shared about happiness, suggests it comes from the inside instead of the outside. “Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.” Says Gandhi. Also the Dalai Lama says “Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.” Gandhi and Dalai Lama linked happiness with the harmony of our beliefs, words, and actions. Also, many psychologists are associating happiness with gratitude. A good article published by Harvard Medical School discusses that.
What is happiness?
To some people happiness is a state of euphoria (which is a state of intense excitement). This is not the happiness I am talking about. In fact, I believe that pursuing a state of constant euphoria is not feasible and possibly simplistic. By happiness, I mean a sense of joy and peace of mind. Also a sense of optimism and appreciation for life.
When will I be happy?
If I delay happiness until my problems are solved, knowing that new ones will naturally appear by then (or even before), then I will never be happy. I need to realise that no one can always be happy all the time, and that happiness comes from within. People who live the moment (and are not stuck by what happened in the past or worrying about what might happen in the future) are closer to being happy. In fact, all the times I could think of when I felt truly happy, were moments when I was present (enjoying the company of loved ones, travelling and exploring, pursuing my hobbies and passions), moments when I forgot my worries or when I decided not to focus on them.
What about you, when are you going to be happy?
For the Journey ... 