Tuesday, July 22, 2008

The Happiness Dilemma!!

"Are you happy?" Heard that one before? Or even better - "Are you positively happy?" We were sitting after dinner at a friend's house a few days ago and this question came up.

It was a very educated group with doctors, engineers and businessmen. The answers were varied and surprising. A few drinks had made the rounds before and so the conversation was free, uninhibited and flowing. So what is happiness?

Is it contentment? Being rich? Success professionally? Or maybe a combination of the above. Does a good round of golf qualifies you to be happy? Yeah sure, till the next time you play!

Personally, I think happiness is an all-encompassing term. One might be happy professionally, but miserable in personal life or vice-versa. We do things that make us happy. Vacations, fancy cars, jewelry, dinners, parties...you name it. But are these events planned to make us happy or to relax us? So maybe relaxation brings us happiness.

That's it then. Contentment + relaxation = happiness. Or is it? I don't think it's that simple to be content or relaxed all the time. Because life comes in the way. And life brings new challenges every single day, big and small.

But I'm sure that all of you will agree that there's no harm in trying to relax or be content. Let's relax, take life as it comes and not push too many buttons (literally and figuratively)! Be satisfied with what you have and thank God everyday for blessing you with a happy, healthy family.

Be happy for your friends and neighbors, share their joys and sorrows. All of this is easier said than done, but try it.

You might just surprise yourselves.

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