So what makes you happy? Phoebe from Friends, for instance, would reply with:
"Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woollen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favourite things" :roll:
So what makes you happy? All of us are constantly working towards the pursuit of our happiness, and precisely how do we do that? We try to do good at school, get through a great college, pursue a hobby, work hard at job, and let's not forget this- try to find that special someone who'll always keep us happy. :| In all of this brouhaha, it might seem like we're trying to achieve happiness as a direct result of our actions. And does that ever work out? Let's put this in context:
# 1. Aashi's School
Aashi had always dreamt of being a designer, and worked hard to get into the Best Design School. She was ecstatic with happiness, but and there was a big BUT; the School was very, very expensive. Hence, Aashi decided that she would pay the tuition partly by a student loan, and the rest by working after College. By day, she would be learning, experimenting and having the time of her life. She was as happy as anyone her age could be and she was brimming with ideas. However, by night when her batch-mates continued with their passion and all the fun, she would be faking a smile and serving fries behind a McDonalds counter. There would be long working hours, sauce on her dress and hardly any time to sleep. Would you call her happy? :oops:
# 2. Ashley's Holiday
Ashley worked as an Architect and absolutely loved her job. Though she never got many holidays and lately, had been saving up for one in Hawaii. While at her holiday, her Bank called to give some bad news- her stock investments had failed and she was in a huge debt. However, this did not stop Ashley from enjoying her Margaritas and getting that tan which she couldn't wait to show off when back. Then, as she looked upon the beautiful clear, blue ocean and took another sip of her drink, she remembered that she had her enormous debt waiting for her as well- when she got back. Is she happy? :oops:
Now if you ask me, I would say that happiness is not something which can ever be derived from something we do/ don't do. Ralph Marston has quite aptly put it as:
"
So now looking at their lives with differently-tinted glasses, Aashi can choose to think about her exciting, next day while she serves soda. She can choose to focus her thoughts on the happy times that she spent in School, on how lucky she is to be studying in the Best Design School and the lovely life that lies ahead once she's completed her education and paid for it. Likewise, Ashley can choose to take her life one step at a time, and think about how much she needed this vacation. How many do even get to holiday in Hawaii and have a job that they love? When she gets back, she can talk to her Financial Advisor, and think about the best possible way to sort out the debt. Next time, she would invest carefully, which could then in turn help her make better profits.
Having a positive outlook and putting the spotlight on the good stuff in our lives would help us stay happy. It is obviously not an easy decision, but all of us can start by being thankful for all that we have. Every morning when we get up, we can smile and be grateful for everything we have, and not worry about what we do not have! No matter what happens, trying to stay happy and going about our lives smiling will go a long way; and then we'll realise that happiness is a choice, it had always been a choice. :)
And we all should remember, as C.E. Jerningham said- "To be happy, you must be your own sunshine."
Thank you so much for stopping by. <3
[Picture Credits in chronological order: qiqigallery.com, pageresource.com, hdwallpersinn.com]
