Happiness is a journey

We sometimes hear people saying I will be happy when I get this or that; when some specific event happens etc. We also hear people saying I was happy when such a thing happened in the past etc. People speak of happiness as an event which has occurred in the past or will occur in the future and lasts for a specific period of time.

Any good feeling, if temporary, is not worth much. So, we should be striving to change the expectation of happiness in terms of time. It should last much longer if not for ever. Also, while striving to achieve future happiness, we tend to sacrifice our present and go through much pain. Unfortunately, even if we do attain happiness it tends to be short lived.

That brings us to the main subject – should happiness be the journey or the destination? I submit that happiness must be also be in the journey. Our life itself is a journey and if we were to make happiness as part of that, it will make our life worthwhile. While we are in the process of achieving our goals and targets, we should attune our minds to seek happiness along the way.

Imagine you are trekking and climbing a mountain. If you are so intent on the climb that you do not notice the scenery around you; the exotic flowers and the rare birds; the cool breeze as you reach higher altitude; the faces of the people who pass you along the way etc., you have missed much of the fun. Take a look around you and you will see joy aplenty and that is sure to give you the joy you are seeking.

In the context of happiness, think “I am” rather than “I was” or “I will”.

Anyone who thinks sunshine is happiness has never danced in the rain - Author Unknown

“Happiness is found in doing, not merely in possessing” - Napoleon Hill

“Remember, happiness doesn’t depend upon who you are or what you have. It depends solely upon what you think” – Dale Carnegie