Last update: October 14, 2015
Perhaps it will surprise you, but if you look in the dictionary for the meaning of the word "happiness" you will also find this definition: "state of mind of one who takes pleasure in the possession of a good".
Obviously, the dictionary does not take psychology into account. Faced with such a description, it seems that we must support, once again, the false idea that, in order to achieve happiness, one must accumulate things: houses, cars, jewels, etc..
We cannot deny that we need these material things to live, as well as have a job and an economic pay with which to build the fundamental foundation for our happiness. In reality, material possessions do not always satisfy all of our complex needs as human beings.
We all have aspirations, basic needs such as love, the strength to overcome obstacles, personal satisfaction, daily well-being, tranquility, emotional balance, the realization of our dreams, feeling fulfilled.… Invisible dimensions that a checkbook cannot buy.
As the famous saying goes, "happiness is a path, not a destination".
Do you agree too?
Happiness hides in the little things
We are sure that you know more than one person who talks to you every day about his projects as final goals to achieve true and authentic happiness..
"When the promotion arrives, I will be able to buy the house I want and be happy"; “When I find the right person, I can be really happy”; “I really want to take that trip to feel happy for at least a week”.
If these people identify their happiness in the more or less near future, how do they live their present? One also wonders, since when is happiness planned?
It's a mistake, we can plan a goal, but never our own happiness. It is worth considering the following aspects:
- What matters is the "here and now". The present you live defines us, we are the path you are walking and you deserve to find happiness, balance and tranquility.
- The future does not yet exist. You can set professional or personal goals in the near future that will motivate your everyday life, but as you try to achieve them, you must live happily. Every step you take towards that goal is worth it because when you do, you are happy.
- Happiness is not something that is found by chance. It is not even a momentary and ephemeral entity. Happiness is built and found in small things, in the most insignificant ones.
For a moment, take your gaze away from the future and observe what is around you:
You have a family, you have friends to laugh with, you have someone who takes you by the hand and supports you, you can listen to the laughter of your children every day, you are healthy, you have a dog or a cat to keep you company and give you love unconditional, you have your moments of privacy to dream, feel the warmth of the sun and the smell of the trees, get up in the morning full of energy and enjoy a good book or get excited with a good movie, feel free when you walk, when you run in the rain… All this, even if you don't believe it, is happiness.
There is no magic recipe for happiness, you have to be clear about it. Furthermore, happiness is not always permanent. There are bends, falls, small or large black holes that force you to stop and destroy you a little.
There is no life without pain. There is no more effective medicine than suffering to understand what happiness is, so sometimes you need to know how to appreciate calm, tranquility to be able to feel good with yourself and with others.
Simple happiness is the most rewarding, but not everyone knows or can experience it.
Sometimes, there are people who only aim to accumulate things and also to collect people, but they continue to have an empty heart. No matter the effort they make, their happiness will always be ephemeral because they are unable to understand the real secret of life: to live in peace, appreciate the little things and feel good about themselves.. Learn to be humble and be happy with everything around us.
And now tell us, what is happiness for you?
