Are You Looking for Happiness?

Dear friend, we all have formed our own definitions of happiness right from childhood. A lot of these perceptions are because of conditioned development, for example; they are a part of our habits due to repetitive inculcation by parents, teachers and the society in general. 

That is why, none of us has actually pondered about what exactly makes us feel happy! This feeling has been left to our sub-conscious and we simply feel the happiness according to the situation we are in.

A lot of small things can give us happiness. For instance, just the thought of shopping or spending money tends to excite us and makes us feel happy. Opportunities and new ideas also have a similar effect on us. 

This excited state makes us imagine things related to these incidents. 

For example: the perspective of going on vacation while getting an office bonus would not only make us excited, but also make us plan and imagine the holiday. 

In fact, we would feel the bliss without actually being on the vacation itself! 

However, when on the actual vacation, the excitement tends to settle down as one begins to feel contented.

The same is true with objects. We are quite crazy to purchase the latest cell phone, laptop, I-pod or the new car. But once we own that stuff, the excitement settles down and the appeal does not stay the same. The cycle of excitement begins again when another new product is launched.

Let’s pause for a second here and seriously think about our definition of happiness. Is it only linked to acquiring the latest objects? Does it end with wishes being fulfilled? Is our definition of happiness limited to spending good time with family or friends only? 

We are so involved in this cycle of wishes that we actually forget to see what real happiness is and how it can be achieved.

The definition of happiness varies for every individual as they have their own individual needs. For some people, achieving a good career path provides happiness. For some, it is their fulfillment of goals and objectives and for others it is bringing happiness to the faces of the deprived.

However, everybody does not have it easy in this world. 

Our income, education, family, environment, society and friends all affect our definition of happiness. 

We might not always have the desired income needed to fulfill the wishes or may be the career is not going as smoothly as we had planned. 

So what does it do to us? Does it burst our balloon of hope and excitement or does it renew our hopes, make us clear our visions and look ahead to the future with new motivation? 

How do you react when things don’t turn out as you had planned? Most importantly, is your reaction appropriate or do you need to change?

Allow me to end today’s blog by expressing my appreciation to all those who take the time each week to read my blogs. 

I am also grateful and pleased to receive your warm, truthful and encouraging emails and posts about these blogs. It is quite amazing how a few words each week have encouraged so many people around the globe.

Until next time, make this a week one in which you are living your life to the fullest.
With appreciation and gratitude