March 20th is the National Happiness Day.
How are you celebrating it? Do you share your happiness with those around you, because, you know, happiness increases only when we share it with others? And, the kind of lives we live today, each one of us is in need of a spark of joy that will help them go through it all.
Man has been in pursuit of happiness since the time he came into being. Although, back then, he may not have dwelled upon happiness as much as we do today, for life back then was comparatively simpler (or, was it?) and less stressful (??).
But, I am sure man was happier, back then, because each time we visit our past–our childhood–we recollect how less cluttered life was; how less stressful and how less complicated, and agree that, yes, life in the past was so much happier!
Progress and development brought along distractions and distress galore. Today, we may have the world at our fingertips, but happiness is something we fail to find on any app.
We scour places that boast of being the treasure trove of this elusive emotion; we seek it in people, in stuff we buy, and each time, return empty-handed and broken-hearted. Eventually, having tried our luck and failed, miserably, we give up on it all–on ourselves and our happiness, too!
However, Life is one tough cookie, who never gives up on us and makes sure we realise the meaning of true happiness and where we ought to look for it!
It introduces us to adversities, gets us caught in a storm, and almost pushes us over the edge into shark-infested waters, only to pull us back in time and make us appreciate what we have.
An appreciation that teaches us the meaning of HAPPINESS, and where it lies.
Over the years…okay, who am I kidding? Over the last year, I have realised that happiness lies right here, in front of me, and not somewhere else, where I was looking for it.
Happiness lies in my work, my art, the tiny everyday moments that I used to take for granted.
Happiness lies in being in this moment, in living this moment without thinking about what happened, and wondering what might happen.
Happiness lies in savouring the present that I have been gifted by Life; in embracing it with all my heart, and being grateful for it, along with its ugliness and its impermanence.
That, for me, is happiness, and HERE is where I find it!
What does happiness mean to you? And, where do you find it?
Sharing today, three quotes by Thich Nhat Hanh, that will help you find answers to these questions.
Love,
SHILPA…
For me, happiness is not stretching myself to meet other people’s expectations especially when it makes me comfortable and at the same time having no expectations from anyone. I am the happiest when I am on my own, doing the things I love to do – reading, blogging, colouring, experiencing solitude, nature walks, talking about books and blogging 🙂 etc. It is indeed a long list.
Unknowingly of the world happiness day, I published a Book Bytes post on Happiness on Tuesday. Coincidence, it was.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You and I have so much in common, Anu!These are the very things that give me happiness.
I did read your post and thought, wow, what a coincidence! 🙂
LikeLike
For me, happiness is art. It’s a hot cup of coffee with a good book. It’s looking out the window and the greenery I am blessed to have right in front of me. It’s in the antics of my fur babies and the love of the husband. It’s in all the small, sweet moments of life that I am present to, that I savour, that I cherish.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ditto, for almost all of what you shared, Shinjini! Happiness for me, is the antics of my feathered babies, and the rest of everything you mentioned! 🙂 ❤
Thank you for sharing!
LikeLike
For me happiness is being with myself in the moment and savouring all that life has to offer in that moment
LikeLiked by 1 person
So true for me, too, Anou di! Being with myself and savouring those moments of peace and tranquility, as well as the chaos that Life brings with it, sometimes! 🙂
LikeLike
Happiness is exploring forgotten trails and villages throughout the Pine Barrens of New Jersey with the doors off my Jeep and two black labradors catching the breeze in the backseat! Thank you for your post!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow! I can so imagine how happy it must make you–two Labs!! Awww…..two gems of your life!
Thank you for sharing your idea of happiness, PC! 🙂
By the way, what’s your name? 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
They truly are my GEMS! You’re welcome and thank you for your post! My friends and family call me Meg!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi, Meg! Nice to know you! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happiness is interesting – I think in our pursuit of happiness, we actually end up being quite miserable whereas if we focussed on the here and now and the little things, as you say, you will feel content. And feel happy. Plus, we also need to accept other emotions like sadness and anxiety as opposed to pushing them away because we think we *should* be happy all the time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
True, Sanch. Spoken like a true psychologist! Embracing every emotion brings us closer to ,and treasure, every moment of happiness.
LikeLike
Lovely! For me happiness is in books, hugs, good food, the feeling of accomplishment when I cook something or write something, it’s the wagging of tails and the teasing and crazy conversations…it’s the smile in the face of someone who I’ve been supporting to follow his dream…There’s so much to be happy about, isn’t there?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh yes, Corinne! There is indeed a lot to be happy about. It’s just that we look for happiness in all the wrong places! 🙂
LikeLike
I can find 999 reasons of happiness. For me it starts with smiles, conversations, a cup of tea, hugs, skies, trees, flowers – you know what i mean:)
Happiness is a state of mind. One that we choose to ignore and wait for events to make us happy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Parul, you seem to have achieved enlightenment!
No, seriously, if you find happiness in all of these beautiful things, then, you have achieved it all! Most of us keep looking for happiness as if it’s going to show up with a name plate, announcing that it’s arrived!
It’s truly a state of mind, and I hope we all realise it sooner.
LikeLike