What exactly is happiness?

Is it something we can work hard for or need luck for?

Or is the key to true happiness simply a matter of perspective, which comes from within?

THE FOUNDATION OF HAPPINESS

To me, happiness is simply a matter of being contented with what we have, of focusing on the positive side of life, of being grateful for what we have, which happens to be a matter of perspective, and comes from within.

Ever wondered how couples well into their 80s and 90s can still be so sweet, loving and happy together?

HAPPINESS COMES FROM BEING CONTENTED

They are able to do it because they are contented with the simple fact that they have each other to share their lives with, so much so that whatever else happens in their life doesn’t really matter anymore. If it happens, that’s great, if it doesn’t, it is okay, they know they still have each other’s love and support, and that, to them, is enough to make them happy.

They are grateful, and contented.

MANAGING OUR GOALS & AMBITIONS

Now, I am not trying to say that we shouldn’t work hard to achieve our dreams, or that being lucky doesn’t make us happy.

We will always feel happy when we finally achieve our goals and dreams, or when some things just happen to go our way, but the point I am trying to make here is that, it is not so much our achievements or “lucky-ness’ that made us happy, but more so our heart of gratitude that our efforts finally paid off, that something so lucky can happen to us, that truly makes us happy.

If we do not have that heart of gratitude, and of contentment; it will not matter how many achievements we’ve managed to accomplish, or how lucky we might get, we will still never be truly happy; because we will always be wanting more, always be comparing ourselves with others and always be resenting the fact that we din’t get more.

PURSUE OUR DREAMS, BUT BE GRATEFUL EVERY STEP OF THE WAY

It is important for us to keep striving to improve, to keep moving forward to make the most out of our lives and test our limits; but it is also extremely important for us to be grateful for all the little things that has happened to us every step of the way, to be grateful for the very opportunity to live life and even have a go at trying to improve ourselves.

THE POWER OF STRIPPING AWAY OUR EXPECTATIONS

I realized that when we are able to strip away all our expectations and be grateful for the simple fact that we are alive, that we are privileged enough to be able to experience this very moment, called the present, because so many other babies did not make it past their first year in the poorer countries in Africa, and even if they did, starved to death; we will always be happy, because this happiness comes from a heart of contentment, and it comes from within.

So friends, be grateful, be contented, and you’ll be happy no matter what the circumstances.

“Happiness comes from within, it is simply a matter of perspective…”