Why Learn to be Happy

Growing up in an “underprivileged ” society made me learn a lot. It only made sense later with the help of different life experiences and the acquired knowledge that bridged the missing gap. I can vividly remember the moments as a child that made me feel delighted despite not having the fancy and tech-games.I therefore can’t complain that my childhood was full of despair.

As a child, I thought happiness was always getting whatever you ask for. Well ,being raised by a single parent, I didnt always getting whatever I asked for. My parent taught me to appreciate the little that can be provided and by that she gave me the ingredient of “happiness”.

For centuries the meaning of happiness has been a subject of debate and people have differently described what really happiness is to them.

So what is happiness?

With the diverse meaning amongst different psychologists, I was able to capture a few that correlate to one another.

“Happiness is a state(not necessarily permanent) characterized by contentment and general satisfaction with one’s current situation. It means being able to look beyond all the imperfection of life”

“Happiness is the daily blessings that lie within the details, and which brings enrichment, joy, and nourishment to the soul”

The elementary determinant of our peace, joy, and well-being are contained in how FREE FROM FEAR we are, and how much love we feel for ourselves, others, and the world. For example, we might drive the latest Mercedes, wake up next to our loved ones, eating tripled layered cheeseburger but still feel that happiness eludes us!

Our fears and anxieties will always trump peace and contentment. Therefore, no matter how hard we try to modify the external conditions of our lives in the hope that the new conditions will be the source of our ultimate happiness, we will ONLY feel happy when we take control of our thoughts, action, and words to those that lead to peace, harmony and love.

Someone will talk of money being the sole of happiness and if only we had more money, we could finally be happy. The truth is money is where our primal FEAR of survival meets our tendencies to self-hatred and personal insecurities creating a toxic mix of fear and anxiety that is difficult to untangle. The possession of a certain amount of money cant create happiness and its absence is not the true source of despair. Our happiness turns solely on the level of fear we feel.

So why learn to be happy?

Talking of happy people living longer and healthier, there is research suggesting that how happy you are in your 20’s will predict your income level in your 30’s and even 40’s.

 There is also evidence suggesting your happiness level particularly your mood will affect how you react to certain negative events, how your immune system reacts to being exposed to infection. We deal with events that shape us and the way we react to them will profoundly affect so much in our life.

The question is– Do you really know the things that make you happy?