Why is it that some people are happy while some others are not? – This question has been eluding even the psychologists of the modern-day. According to a recent study, it was found that people in Finland are the happiest people in the world. Countries like Denmark, Iceland, Switzerland, and Norway are on the list of Top-5. India is in 133rd place in this survey done in 155 countries. As a part of this study, about 1000 people from each country are asked few questions and based on the responses received, the results are declared every year on World Happiness Day on March 20th.
Being happy is a state of mind. It is not necessary to be rich to be happy. Practically every survey ever done has shown that those who are happy stay in families. Such people get along very well with their friends and family. According to Daniel Gilbert, the Happiness Expert at Harvard University, we are happy when we are with our family. If we have friends, then it is even better. In some way or the other, everything that contributes to our happiness comes through either family or friends.
A long-time researcher on this topic, George Vaillant says – ‘what influences life the most is the quality of our relationships with others’. It is these relationships that bind us to others and hence influence our happiness to a large extent. If we look at the statistics published by Journal of Socio-economics, relationships are found to be very expensive.
It is also evident that material prosperity has made man hollow from within. In fact, man spends his entire life earning money and realizes at the end that the desire for money is never-ending and the joys of life cannot be bought with money. So, to whatever extent possible, we should spend our time in strengthening our social life and making it prosperous.
It is not true that everything is going perfectly well in the life of a happy person. Everybody has to go through their share of difficult and challenging situations in life. All of us desire to have a better life, but we should not waste away whatever good things we already have in pursuit for something better. Instead, we should utilize what we have to obtain what we desire further.
We might find happiness in a box or in the pages of an old book or in something simple that you cooked, while you might not find it even in the menu of a 5-star restaurant. There could be times when a person might feel happy for an entire day after keeping a cup of water for birds to drink on a hot summer day, while he might not be satisfied with a 500/- offering at a temple. In this way, you will realize that happiness is related to the emotions which make the mind happy and content. Emotions that are disturbing, annoying, and unhappy can never be associated with happiness.
Most of our worries are centered on what others will think or say to what we do. If we want a happy life, psychologists recommend that we stay connected to a goal instead of people and things. Another suggestion is that you do what your conscience propels you instead of worrying about what others will say or think. It will be your great loss if you do not pursue your dream frightened of what others will think about it. Any worthy step that you execute in a planned manner not only gives you happiness but also contentment. Positive thinking and diligent efforts are the key to happiness.
When you identify your core strengths and put in 100% efforts, success is guaranteed in any field of work. However, remember that the path to success is not a bed of roses. There will be many challenges that will come your way. Whoever has reached the pinnacle of success has gone through excruciating difficulties. That is why, whatever you do, do it with complete dedication. Majority of us put in half-hearted effort to do something and fall into depths of disappointment when we fail. To ensure that happiness is long-standing, we have to show our sincere gratitude to all those who have helped us in one way or the other. So, in this fast-paced life, don’t forget or hesitate to thank your well-wishers and express your gratitude.
It is said that we can receive only 2 things from any incident or a person in our life – happiness or learning. It is good to learn a lesson because it gives you a chance to start afresh. It is extremely important that you don’t harbor any anger within yourselves. It is best to resolve it with the concerned person. Always express clearly and always be ready to receive criticism and feedback. Whoever you have issues against, approach them in a proper manner and resolve them amicably. Try not to let negativity and complaints breed for long.
To keep your mind and heart light and happy, always follow the idiom – ‘what’s done is done’. Don’t give any place for hatred and jealousy in your heart because they only deprive you of happiness. Yugrishi Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya says – ‘Expanding our horizons of love and affection is the only way for never-ending happiness. You cannot be happy by hoarding, you can only multiply your happiness by giving and distributing.’