In pursuit of happiness

Man has attained a lot in the last few centuries. Such progress in such a short time is unique in human history and was never attained before.

We have reached the outer space and even thinking of another home planet. We have explored the depth of oceans, climbed the highest mountains and researched every organ of our body.

 We have created all the materialistic pleasures scientifically possible at present. Our present definition of progress is to do less manual work, get maximum material comfort, deal with the forces of nature, live as long as possible and so on. Success is defined by money, living life in the fast lane, tighter deadlines, getting more electronic gadgets etc. Intuitive thinking has taken a backseat and focus is always on the external.

Our attention span has become so short that anything that gives happiness for a short time is taken as an achievement. A new play station, a new mobile phone, a new HD TV and so forth are all a source of happiness for us. And when these things start getting defective it becomes a cause of worry and sorrow for us, the quicker it gets defective the more worry for us.

(When we write on read cash it gives us happiness)

Now let us go to the other side. When we go out for a walk and see a beautiful flower it gives us happiness, when we see a rabbit crossing our path, when we see fruits hanging from a tree, when we see the full moon, when we see a new plant sprouting from the seed, when we see a flock of bird flying – these things also give us happiness. Here no transaction is taking place but still it gives happiness.

We know the flower will stop blooming after a few days, the fruit will fall from the tree, the birds will not be visible after a few minutes, the plant will grow big, and the rabbit will hide somewhere seeing us – but their absence does not cause worry or sorrow within us because we know it will happen again.

(When we get fewer points in a day but tomorrow may be better)

In our present life both these type of happiness have its place and importance. Some happiness we buy with money and some we get free. But the one we buy with money will require a money trail to keep it, repair it, and replace it and it comes tagged with worry and sorrow of losing it, upgrading it and so on.

 But the one that is free is actually free. No strings attached. The flower will die, the fruit will fall, the birds will fly away, the full moon will become a new moon, but these things don’t make us worrisome or sorrowful. We know when the time comes they will be back again. And if I live for the next season I will be happy again see them, for free.

For the city bred and city dwellers they derive 80% pleasure from the first kind of happiness and 20% from the second kind. For the villagers it can be 60/40.

We have to find our own balance in our pursuit of happiness, the ratio may vary from person to person but the importance of both does not diminish.

(I did not deliberately give a spiritual angle of happiness so that we can relate more with ourselves, the common man)

(This article is not related in any way to that famous movie of Will Smith)