Happiness

Happiness is state of mind. External factors like money, wealth and comforts they bring by themselves cannot make us happy. Swami says - All earthly possessions and trappings are bondages which bring miseries. I believe happiness is a state brought about by us being satisfied with what we have got. It is only when we develop the state of not being satisfied with what we have got and crave for more n more that happiness drifts away and unhappiness sets in. We smile when something pleasant or pleasurable happens. A smile is a reflection of happiness. Many simple and small things which cost us nothing make us smile. Meeting a beloved, friend or relative, seeing the sun breaking through clouds after a dark rainy day, or a caring gesture of our loved one, all these things make us happy and light up our faces.

Look at a new born, within few days she starts smiling seeing the recognisable face. What makes her smile? Its a reaction to be pleased and satisfied. Researches and studies reveals that a child smiles 400-500 times a day and when we grow into adults the number of smiles per day comes down. Do u remember when you smiled last? A child does not have much expectation she is happy with whatever she gets. One could always be like a child in the state of happiness by being satisfied and contended. Though difficult to achieve but it is not impossible.

Happiness can also be achieved by realising that things could have been worse. But it is not in this negative sense only one can be happy. Whenever we are unhappy we should try to recollect and remember how much happiness has come our way and the number of things we have, for which we should be thankful. We should count our blessings and look at the silver lining in the clouds. We blame God for whatever we are not blessed with, but do we thank god enough for everything he has blessed us with? Are we making the best use of whatever we have got? There are innumerable things in the life to be happy about. We are blessed with physical abilities, mental faculties, relatives, friends and nature. The rest is what we make. Being contented does not imply that we should not be ambitious, but ambition should be within limits and should not be turn into desire. We can have ambition to earn more money but through legitimate means, so that you can not only improve your standard of living but also contribute generously to the society. But doing so one should not get so much attached to material gains and comforts that even their temporary absence makes you feel miserable.  Infact we must try to be like the lotus in the pond which gets wet but do not allows drops of water to stuck to it!