Happiness comes from within!

Happiness is a word that we repeatedly use in our day to day lives. But, how many of us are actually happy? Leave that…how many of us know what happiness really is?

Wikipedia defines happiness as – “Happiness, Gladness, or Joy is a mental or emotional state of well-being defined by positive or pleasant emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy”.

This signifies that happiness has more to do from inside than from material things or environment.

On the contrary you buy a new car and immediately exclaim, “I am happy today!” You race around in your brand new car for a couple of months and then, you suddenly say – “I am so unhappy!” Really!!! Does that mean you need to keep stuffing your life with new things to ensure happiness stays on? Can you actually guarantee that?
Or does that mean happiness is just a flickering moment and is situational?
Infact almost all of us tend to be ‘happy’ or ‘sad’ in situations like these.

But, this is not happiness. It could be a moment of joy or a sense of achievement but material things cannot make you happy from within. If this was the case, the millionaires and billionaires would have been perennially happy and contented. But, we know they aren’t. They too have their moments of acute despair and shares of unhappiness and tears.

So, here’s looking at this thing called ‘happiness’ from close quarters:
Objects and material things are focused towards giving us comfort. Physical comfort is way different from emotional comfort.
Sister Shivani (a practitioner of Rajyoga Medication of the Brahma Kumaris) describes it beautifully – “Happiness is our internal creation and can be created irrespective of external comforts.”
Yes, happiness is self-created. You think you are happy then no matter what the situation is you would be happy. It is possible only when we are able to accept people and things the way they are. It is an end to criticising and complaining; cribbing and comparing, judging and brooding; yes, in order to be happy you need to bid adieu to all these negative feelings.

You have a low paying job…so what? Atleast you have something to be happy about and thank the Almighty for! Look at millions around you who are maybe much more qualified than you but are roaming around jobless!

You are unwell and are getting depressed about life, cursing your stars and blaming whosoever you can think of. Have you ever realised how lucky you are that you are blessed with a perfect body, intact limbs, and proper functioning body systems?! I know so many who aren’t as blessed! And that is truly sad!

It’s time to sit back and make a list of all the things that you have been blessed with. You will be amazed at the long list and yet, you complain about being unhappy, ill-fated, cursed and so on and so forth!

Problems, illness, challenges…are a part of life; but how you deal with them is totally dependent on you. You win over these little obstacles with a smile, confidence and courage; accepting them as tests for bigger and better rewards ahead. The moment your thinking gets this route, automatically all your worries, tensions, woes become passé. You are happy no matter what and can even sing a song or two as you tackle these temporary obstacles. And believe me – these problems are just a passing phase!

Sister Shivani states the Mantra for happiness – “Before I take responsibility of those around me, I need to take responsibility for my own thinking and feelings. When I am happy and I take care of others, then they will be happy. Happiness is a state of being created while working towards the goal; not a feeling to be experienced after achieving the goal.”

So, are you happy? Yes, you are happy and love your life too! 🙂