on happiness
How to define life and happiness
It is difficult to define life but everyone lives. It is more difficult to define happiness but everyone wants happiness. This is because people do not think in plain terms. Very simple matter is made complicated by superficial wisdom. In very simple terms, the span of time spent by any one from birth till death is life. . All our thoughts and feelings are generated by brain. So happiness lies in brain..When somebody gets success, he says- I am happy. When a father’s expectation from his child is not fulfilled, he is not happy. An individual is happy when he gets an unexpected reward. Happiness is thus a state of mind. Many religious preachers say that worldly comforts and luxuries do not give happiness. Happiness truly comes when you realize your self and communicate with the Supreme Being. The materialists believe that money is the source of happiness. However, we find that even the churchgoers are not happy. As regards material pursuits, even the religious practices are for getting material benefits in afterlife. There appears hardly any wisdom in forsaking the luxuries and comforts at present and crave for the very same luxuries in hypothetical afterlife abode- heaven. Thus happiness is not in religious pursuits or spirituality, which are hypothetical and unreal notions. The abundance of luxuries also does not make one happy. It can be said without fear of contradiction that all our experiences are materialist. Spirituality is myth and hypothetical. Happiness lies in materialism only. But the attainment of happiness is on one’s outlook towards life.
What brings happiness
The first condition for happiness is healthy brain and healthy body. A sickly individual can hardly feel comfortable. One must think healthy and have positive feelings towards life and society. Secondly, being free from worries is a precondition for happiness. Any one who indulges in malpractices and criminal activities may get wealth but he cannot be carefree and thus not happy. An individual who earns enough for himself and his family and is contended is really happy. The most important condition is that one should not expect from others. The expectations should be realistic. Frustration of expectations is the major cause of unhappiness.
Harmony is key to happiness
Healthy body, minimum worries, satisfaction and keeping expectations to minimum are undoubtedly the way to be happy. A happy individual is one who enjoys life to the full. But this is easily said than done. Maintaining good health and enjoying life both may not be always consistent.. One may enjoy smoking but this will lead to bad health and result in unhappiness. One may enjoy laziness but get no success in life and get frustrated and consequently unhappy. So being happy is not so simple. Our main object should be happy life and not just healthy body. Eating simple tasteless food, regular exercises, hard work may give one very good health and success in career. He will have a sense of achievement but not really happy. If somebody enjoys smoking, alcoholic drinks and gossips but avoids just for health and achievements, he will no more be a joyous happy man but only an efficient dull machine. Happiness flows from fulfillment of our desires even if these lead to bad health and poor achievements. Thus one may either enjoy luxurious life or make achievements and get satisfaction of good career. This brings us to the crucial question- How to be happy. The remedy lies in moderation and proper balancing between diverse options. One has to strike a balance between spicy food and healthy body. Neither he should completely abstain from spicy food nor indulge. Neither one should totally refrain from smoking and drinking nor be a chain smoker or a drunkard. One should work hard but not at the cost of leisure and family. One may feel pleased to make donations for charitable purposes but he should not lose sight of family needs and tax liability. This means that there should be a sense of proportion. Happiness lies in striking balance between conflicting options.
Solve issues, lose worries and be happy
Above all, losing worries is most significant condition for happiness. There should be clear goals. No burdening with heavy loans and no incurring of heavy liabilities make one free of worries. One should not worry about what does not concern him direct or what he can delegate to others. Proper delegation also reduces burden and increases happiness.. One cannot be happy when he is burdened with unsolved pressing issues. It should be borne in mind that every problem is capable of solution either by oneself or by cooperation with others. Such attitude and efforts will certainly bring happiness. Any amount of meditation or Yoga cannot make one happy as long as he is burdened with pressing real problems. Even use of drugs and alcohol may give temporary relief by relaxing brain. So in case of worrying problems, one has to try solution either oneself or by seeking guidance from friends or experts. Resorting to spiritual meditation and Yoga in such cases is no better than taking drugs or consuming liquor
Conclusion
We may conclude that happiness is a state of mind. Everyone desires happiness. Frustration of expectations brings unhappiness. The key is – Expectations should be reasonable and attainable.
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