thoughts on how to be happy
Enjoy life, but when? Let's look at the reality.
Most of us, roughly 99% of India's population, grow up in lower-middle-class or poor families. Our initial years are dedicated to getting a good education, and during this time, students must focus on their studies. This period of study is not brief, spanning at least 17 years from nursery to graduation. After that, the individuals must strive to secure a job, often accepting a position they're not passionate about. Once employed, they may experience some happiness, but it's often tempered by the desire for a better job. Until they land a fulfilling position, there's little inclination to enjoy life. Even then, they may be forced to stay in the same job if they're not selected for a new one or are unwilling to relocate. Assuming they settle into a good job, they can finally be happy and think about enjoying life. However, this happiness is short-lived, as new worries emerge, such as adapting to office changes. By this time, they've also reached marriageable age.
Assuming one gets married and starts a new lifestyle, everything may seem fine initially. However, as time passes, various challenges begin to emerge. These challenges include understanding one's spouse, maintaining a cordial relationship with the spouse's family, securing a home loan, and obtaining a vehicle loan. Once the loan repayments commence, financial burdens arise, and new worries, such as job security, start to weigh on one's mind. The birth of a child brings additional responsibilities and worries. Moreover, there is pressure from the office to update skills in order to secure promotions. As children grow, parental responsibilities increase, and worries seem to have no logical end until the children get married.
Let us, for the time being, set aside the worries of our children's independent families. By this time, the age of retirement would be very near, or would have already arrived.
Now, life is settled. He/she owns a home, has a sufficient income to lead a comfortable life, and has presumably put an end to all other worries. However, a new type of worry has already emerged in one's life. What is it? It's health issues, and this would be a major worry in life until death.
So when can a person be happy for most of the time?
Yes, there is an answer. It is possible only when we adopt the following simple yet challenging approaches:
- Accept reality and move forward.
- Accept challenges, face them, and move on, even if you fail to solve the problems.
- Look at others who are still struggling. Consider families who have even more worries.
- Don't be envious of families with a higher standard of living.
- Remove jealousy from your heart. Focus on your family's well-being, rather than worrying about what society thinks of you.
- Remember, society will never be there to help you. Prioritise your family. Lead a qualitative life.
- Help the poor to some extent and derive happiness from it.
No comments:
Post a Comment