16th Dec, 2021
We are all searching for happiness.
In achieving this happiness our attitude towards life plays a crucial role.
Whenever I hear this question,”Are you happy?” Iam reminded of a conversation during a dinner I attended.
….After years of hard & dedicated service to his Company, Ajay was being appointed at an elegant reception as the new Director.
It was a small function where his wife Anita , a Homemaker & some of the wives of the other Execs in top management were also present.
In an adjacent room, Anu, the CEO’s wife asked Anita a very odd & unusual question;
“Does your husband make you happy?”
The husband, Ajay, who at that moment was not at her side, but was in hearing distance, paid attention to the conversation, sitting up slightly, feeling secure, even filling his chest lightly in pride & hope, that Anita would definitely not publicly lower or degrade her husband, and would answer affirmatively, since she had always been there for him during their marriage.
Nevertheless, to everyone’s surprise, she replied simply;
“No, he doesn’t make me happy.”
The room became uncomfortably silent. There was a sudden chill in the air.
Ajay was petrified, A frown appeared on his face. He couldn’t believe what his wife was saying, especially at such an important occasion for him.
Anita sat up firmly & explained in a modest but stern tone to the other wives who were present;
“No, he doesn’t make me happy. I AM HAPPY. The fact that I am happy or not doesn’t depend on him, but on me.
God has granted each of us intellect & discretion to reason, interpret & decide.
God made me the person upon which my happiness depends.
I make the choice to be happy in each situation & in each moment of my life.
If my happiness were to depend on other people, on other things or circumstances, I would be in serious trouble!
Over my life I have learned a couple of things:
I decide to be happy & the rest is a matter of ‘experiences or circumstances’ like helping, understanding, accepting, listening, consoling & with my spouse, I have lived & practiced this many times.
Honestly true happiness lies in being content”
She went on to add, “most people are like The musk Deer which runs everywhere after the scent of musk, not realising it is the source. Similarly we run everywhere after happiness, not realising it lies within. We have to resolve to be happy and spread happiness all around us through words & deeds.”
Relieved & reassured, a smile appeared on Ajay’s face.
By now Anita was in full flow & further added, “Happiness will always be found in contentment, forgiveness & in loving yourself & others.
To truly love is difficult, it is to forgive unconditionally, to live, to take the “experiences or circumstances” as they are, face them together & being happy with conviction.
There are those who say I cannot be happy :
• Because I am sick.
• Because I have no money.
• Because it’s too cold.
• Because they insulted me.
• Because someone stopped loving me.
• Because someone didn’t appreciate me.
But what you don’t know is that you can be happy even though you are sick, whether it is too hot, whether you have money or not, whether someone has insulted you, or someone didn’t love you, or hasn’t valued you.
Being Happy is an attitude about life & each one of us must decide! Being Happy, depends on you!”
Be Happy, find it within & Stay blessed forever.