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You have heard this word so many times. Every time your mother calls you when you are away from home, you will always hear those words, “Khush to hai na?”(Are you happy?) Every third self help book promises you the formula for attaining eternal happiness. Even the Bob Marley song encourages you to not worry, and just be happy.
But what exactly is this happiness they are all talking about? Wikipedia defines happiness as a state of mind or feeling characterized by contentment, love, satisfaction, pleasure, or joy. Buddhism says that Ultimate happiness can only be achieved by overcoming craving in all forms. In Christianity, the ultimate end of human existence consists in felicity, or "blessed happiness". For Aristotle, happiness is "the virtuous activity of the soul in accordance with reason”, that is, happiness is the practice of virtue.
Which of these definitions is right? Are any of them wrong? Surely not, these are great ideas by some of the greatest people to have walked the earth. Then why do all of them describe the simple feeling of happiness with such diversity. Why is everybody’s definition of happiness so different?
Truth is, therein lies the beauty of happiness. Each one has his/her own special path to attaining happiness. His/her personal “Stairway to Heaven”, as Led Zeppelin put it. A workaholic may be happy with a promotion, while a social worker would find happiness in serving a nutritious meal to a bunch of poor children. A rocker will be as happy at an Iron Maiden concert, as an animal lover will be in the forest, with the chirping of sparrows for company.
One common thread runs through each of these definitions, though. And this is the only definition which is universal. Universally, Happiness always lies in the fine print. Happiness is not complicated. Rather, it is the simplest feeling which can be felt. It lies in the small moments that make up our lives, and in the smallest goals we achieve.
So, live each moment to the fullest, and help your family and friends live each one too. Remember the words of the great British poet W.H.Davies:
“What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare?”
But what exactly is this happiness they are all talking about? Wikipedia defines happiness as a state of mind or feeling characterized by contentment, love, satisfaction, pleasure, or joy. Buddhism says that Ultimate happiness can only be achieved by overcoming craving in all forms. In Christianity, the ultimate end of human existence consists in felicity, or "blessed happiness". For Aristotle, happiness is "the virtuous activity of the soul in accordance with reason”, that is, happiness is the practice of virtue.
Which of these definitions is right? Are any of them wrong? Surely not, these are great ideas by some of the greatest people to have walked the earth. Then why do all of them describe the simple feeling of happiness with such diversity. Why is everybody’s definition of happiness so different?
One common thread runs through each of these definitions, though. And this is the only definition which is universal. Universally, Happiness always lies in the fine print. Happiness is not complicated. Rather, it is the simplest feeling which can be felt. It lies in the small moments that make up our lives, and in the smallest goals we achieve.
So, live each moment to the fullest, and help your family and friends live each one too. Remember the words of the great British poet W.H.Davies:
“What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare?”
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