I wonder if Bill Gates is really happy right now being the richest living man today. If Mr. Bush is really happy today being the most powerful man on earth? If Ophrah is really happy being the most popular TV host in the history of television?This may be considered a non-sensible reflection, albeit is a valid one, don’t you think? We are all in pursuit of happiness in our own ways. Some would even shed blood for it. Some would go to the length of abandoning their families and friends to find real happiness. But ultimately, the question is what makes us happy? Charles Kingsley observes,
"We act as though comfort and luxury were the chief requirements of life, when all that we need to make us really happy is something to be enthusiastic about."Is that it? Finding something to be enthusiastic about will make us really happy? Again from Leo Tolstoy, who according to Martin Amis, who is the only author who have written convincingly about the subject of happiness, said:
Seize the moments of happiness, love and be loved! That is the only reality in the world, all else is folly. It is the one thing we are interested in here.Moments of happiness? Ah! I just remembered the first smile that cracked from the lips of my son, the joy I saw on him last Sunday watching “Finding Nemo,” the glow in his eyes when we went out afterwards to visit the nearest café and he had his fave sundae, and oh, the excitement in him when he learned that he will be seeing his cousins in person –those moments gave me a lasting sense of happiness more than the Christmas bonus I got from one of my clients.
IMO, I’ll go with Tolstoy’s idea. Rather than seeking happiness or what makes me happy –I will just seize the moments that will truly make bring happiness and savor them. For in the end, those moments kept in memory will keep you warm in the coldest of nights in your life.
How about you? What makes you happy?
Ronnie, Beautiful Post. What makes up happy - that is the million dollar question. I agree with the fact that comfort and luxury does not make one happy. My personal take is that if we are proud of ourselves, as people, we will be happy. Unhappiness creeps in when we feel that we are not good enough, either as people or professionally. And to be proud of oneself, one needs to be a compassionate person, a sincere worker, a good son or daughter, a true friend etc etc.
ReplyDeleteI discuss similar questions on my blog. I would be happy if you visit and let me know what you feel about my thoughts.
Btw Happy Holidays :-)
You have a great blog here. Very touching. I will visit again to read through fully.
ReplyDeleteDo visit my blog. You may find it interesting.
@ seeker
ReplyDeletei fully agree with you on those points. you have to believe and be proud of yourself before you can really appreciate other thins and be truly happy.
@ karoly
thanks for the visit. yeah, i will drop-in in one of your blogs momentarily. ^^
@ mj
thanks for the compliment. please do drop by again.
cheers!