It is almost clichéd to say that happiness is a state of mind. We all know that and have been repeatedly told so by the best brains of the world. For example, Albert Einstein had this to say, “A table, a chair, a bowl of fruit and a violin; what else does a man need to be happyIJ”
Dale Carnegie observed as under, “Happiness doesn’t depend on any external conditions; it is governed by our mental attitude.”So, both the great men had come to the same conclusion as regards seeking happiness. Now, without burdening ourselves with any further quotations, we may ask how to find happiness in our lives or works. Is it an illusory state, a deception that can only be practiced by a conjurer or a practitioner of occult gamesIJ
We would have observed that some rich and powerful people may not be happy and hankering after new acquisitions — to the extent of some landing in jails for misdemeanours committed in chase of their voracious craving for more — while a poor folk in a small town or village with limited or no material comforts whatsoever is found to be quite happy and appear to be contended with his life.
Recently, I was in Gujarat and a photograph vividly captured the mood of happiness as reflected on the faces of rural women riding a makeshift transport. There was no seat and at a time when the scorching sun soared up to 45 degrees on a hot Gujarat afternoon, it was amazing to find these women smiling unreservedly and even willing to oblige for an instant photo with abundant joy!
It is so difficult to fathom the depth of their happiness and the reason behind it. The life for rural women is quite tough. They work more than men on any given day and double up as worker for both home and outside even as they not only cook food and look after the household but also work at the farm or engage themselves with cattle rearing or construction work at a work site. If after all this gruelling schedule, they still manage to smile, kudos to them and to their positive attitude towards life. Our respect grows more for the likes of them when we realise that the treatment meted out to them back home may not be dignified to say the least, if not, out rightly cruel.
The happiness on the faces of young children is so very pure and something that enlivens any human heart. Youth also generally speaking appears to be cheerful, especially those in educational institutions and present a happy picture.
We also come across senior citizens laughing out loudly in neighbourhood parks, of course more by way of trying lungs exercise than perhaps for the sheer joy of it. Be that as it may, sight of happy faces anywhere is perhaps one of the most rejuvenating experiences for anybody.
lest the attempt is considered too philosophical, it must be added that though not necessarily dependent on material things, nevertheless one would normally follow and be guided by material comforts to some extent. However, this is almost certain that quest for unimpeded material acquisitions, if anything, only hinders real happiness to grow.Controlling the mind and the insatiable urge to acquire may actually help in promoting contentment that may bring some degree of happiness. Happiness also comes from doing what one likes to do and hence, it may be a good idea to encourage young students to pursue studies and vocations of their choices. The measurement or survey relating to happiness index apart, we need to strive for attaining happiness as that is the theme song for human existence.