things that make you happy
We have always looked for happiness in everything and everyone. As children, our parents go to great lengths just to get a smile on our little faces. Though dad is never at home, he brings us a toy that makes us happy. Even if mom is at home, she’s busy with the home chores, so, she prepares a scrumptious meal to satisfy our tummies.
In school, our teachers are always making us happy with star stickers or full marks. During our growing years, if we are lucky, we have friends who try and make us happy by keeping in touch or taking us out to exciting places. And then as adults, we try to find happiness in making money and accumulating wealth or in our children. Most of us also expect our spouses to keep us happy.
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A friend once told me that he would be happy once he bought a house for his parents. After he bought a house, he said he would be happy once he got a wife. After he got a wife, he was still not content because he was stressed about the increased expenses, home loan and so on. So, what really are the things that make you happy? Do you find happiness in food, wealth, kids, spouses, gifts or all of the above?
As a child, I, myself, would always be dissatisfied, bored and unhappy. I always expected my single mom to make me happy with gifts and outfits. I didn’t know how to handle myself and my hot temperament definitely didn’t help. Then, when I got older, I expected my boyfriend, partner or husband to keep me happy. And, naturally, when the opposite would take place, I would go into sulk-mode.
But, there is always a saturation point in our lives when we stop, think, grow up and calm down. We learn to be happy with whatever we have. We learn to be happy with whoever we are. We learn to be happy with however we are. Or, some of us take the plunge, change our outlook of life and start progressing towards inner contentment.
What is inner contentment?
Inner contentment is the feeling of inner peace and happiness, whatever the circumstances. It is being happy with what you have at present. When you are content from within, you realize that happiness does not come from materialistic things or other people. When you have a strong sense of contentment, it doesn’t matter whether you obtain the object you desire, or not. Either way, you are still content.
So, when I finally understood that the essence of true happiness simply lied within me, I believe I matured as a person. I learnt to accept the things that were happening around me (that I didn’t like) and began appreciating the people around me for whatever they did (despite my feelings for them). I learnt to stop depending on others to keep me happy. I learnt to ignore the crap around me and concentrate on the good and positives instead. I learnt how to smile from within.
And, from then on, I thought I looked beautiful because I felt beautiful.
Am I making sense here? What are your views on happiness?
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61 Comments
I so agree with you on this. It is the contentment inside that gives happiness. If one is dependent on other for Happiness then it always leads to disappointment at some point in time.
I also agree and believe that our happiness lies within us and nothing can take it away from us or give it to us. Its our own perspective and attitude towards life that can make us happy.
Looking for true meaning of happiness is the ultimate happiness one can achieve. Agree we take time to understand what makes us happy but once we know we should not get diverted from it and stay happy with contentment.
well said! we spend our lives literally searching for happiness. until one dusky evening we realise that its inside us and we just need to connect with ourselves to be happy, to just be. easier said than done offcourse, but then atleast we know that our true journey is inwards and not running out.
These days I make a list of things that make me happy. I feel writing about them helps and makes them realise how important it is to focus on our happiness.
Good idea, Raksha!
Indeed! Our happiness is totally dependant on us. Inner peace is a state of complete mental, emotional, spiritual – equilibrium, acceptance, awareness, harmony and balance. And yes the essence of true happiness simply lies within us.
Yes, it is time for each of us to look at the beauty inside, not seek validation from others on what their definition of beauty is. We know ourselves better than anyone else and should feel beautiful inside out.
so we’ll written .. I agree with your thoughts.. it’s we choose what we are happy or unhappy about.. so basically the feeling from within needs to come
Yes completely agree with you Cindy and I also feel the same as you. most often we look for happiness in outer and materialistic things but real happiness comes from within. it is always more about how we feel rather than how we look.
I concur with your thoughts. We choose our unhappiness & we choose our happiness. So it’s all upon us. Hence, better to focus on inner peace & happiness.
Beautiful post Cindy. Loved reading every bit of it. I could so relate to every word. It took me a lot of years but now I can proudly say I have achieved the inner peace and contentment. It is not easy but totally worth it.
True. Glad we are on the same page, Gayatri!
honestly in my 20’s I never believed in this idea.. happiness was always materialistic.. and now I live from within and am happy .. a small life lesson everyone should know and learn how to feel good about yourself and within you.. great post
Thanks, somehow the lockdown was quite easy for me, mentally and physically.
The sooner we realise this we would be able to lead a better life. It’s not easy and I really hope I reach that path soon for my betterment and growth.
All the best, Manisha!
Happiness comes from inside and all depends on how you are dealing with the world. Your point is quite valid we need not to depend on anybody for anything because we are well versed to do anything.
Nutshell, you mentioned that we will never get happiness from the materialistic things, it comes only when we are happy with whatever we have.
True, Bhawna!
Inner happiness definitely reflects on the personality. But it has a lot of factors that make us decide whether to experience it or no.
I agree, our happiness is our responsibility
I truly believe that happiness comes from within. But the only thing is that we don’t realize it often in life. And if we realize it, it becomes very hard to follow and practice inner happiness. But having said this, we must always strive to smile, stay happy and keep radiating our happiness around us.
It is so true that our inner feelings matter a lot. But sometimes, we keep searching happiness in external factors, when our expectation does not match the reality that is when we get depressed.
Yes you are absolutely right . Our happiness depends totally on us .I always appreciate the people around me for whatever they did .
So true Cindy. Happiness can’t be achieved from materialistic things. Inner happiness lies within us. Stay positive, don’t compare your life with others that’s my formula of happiness.
Contentment is difficult to achieve but it is not impossible. I really liked what you wrote about feeling beautiful. You should not let other people control your happiness but find happiness within you.
tHANK YOU, mADHU!
As Dumbledore quoted in Harry Potter, happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light. So yes, no one else but us has the capability to control our happiness. Though it is easier said than done, we must consciously practice this.
yES, YOU ARE RIGHT, IT IS HARD BUT NOT IMPOSSIBLE!
You are so right Cindy. Material things can bring only temporary happiness. I feel I have matured too as I have stopped seeking happiness outside. Ppl around me only seem to disappoint me for whom I have been sacrificing everything.
Awwww, more power to you dear!
I think we don’t know what happiness is and where it lies. It true with time we find happiness in different things but at point of time we understand , happiness lies inside us.
I could completely relate to it, Cindy. There comes a point in our lives where we realize that if we choose to be happy, we will be. No matter how things are. It all comes from within.
TRUE, RITU!
The best happiness comes from within because it stays with u.. It is best to find happiness in oneself because in any other case, you are dependent on others,.. you have a set of expectations from them.. and when they don’t meet your expectations, you become sad..and this vicious circle continues till u r pulled in depression. So owning happiness is really important and u raised the voice in the simplest form to touch people’s hearts.
tHANK YOU, sUPRITI! gLAD WE CONNECTED!
Let me emphasize that: all the raw material we need for happiness is inside of us. The good things we can appreciate to be happy they are always with us, already there. And the tools for turning these raw materials into happiness, are within us as well. We just need to develop them.
OF COURSE, mONIDIPA!
Yes! Absolutely right that our happiness starts from within! Happiness starts from US first!
It’s very hard to control the environment around you but finding contentment within is the only thing that we can control. Thanks for the reminder, needed this
i’M GLAD THAT IT HELPED, rAUNICA!
There is a saying, ‘Happiness is a choice not result’, now I truly believe in. Also there is another Universal truth that this level of maturity comes only by age or experiences. Some reached to that point at early stage some later, in the end what only matters that we recognized that point of happy and contented living. I can totally resonate with your thoughts Cindy.
tHANKS, aRCHANA. i THINK IT’S WHAT WE GO THROUGH IN LIFE THAT LEADS US TO WHEREVER WE ARE.
I really thought I had cracked this code of happiness. But suddenly everything has gone awry. My health is a mess and I am not able to get back on track. Hope to find happiness again soon.
Yes, Harjeet, it is indeed difficult to find happiness within when too many things are uncontrollable around you. But, I guess, it’s how you get back on track that matters. Get well soon!
Yes, its all in our heart Cindy. The more we contend the more we would BE happier.
So beautifully expressed. Finding happiness in things is a vicious cycle. We always end up wanting for more and more. It’s like there is no end point. But once we find happiness in our inner self, that lasts forever.
I second your thoughts, Cindy! It is the inner contentment that matters. For some, it is when less is more, to being a minimalist and being grateful for what they have.
Right. I think the more we have the less happy we tend to be…
From then on I thought I looked beautiful because I felt beautiful…you have summed it up perfectly, Cindy. Happiness is always an inside job and your post explains that so well. Lovely read.
Thank you Mayuri.
With age comes the maturity and I think all of us go through the similar feelings and emotions and learnt to deal with it as time passes by. For me especially now, happiness is in small little things and yes most of it revolves around my kids.
That’s great, Swati!
I am a firm believer that happiness lies within us. If we are not happy with ourself then no matters how much money we have or how many comforts we have, we will never be happy. But once we start to enjoy our presence, be content about what we have then we will find happiness in every small thing.
So true, Alpana!
I like the way how you described the term happiness in different stages of life.. And, finally concluded with inner happiness. That is just amazing!
Thank you, Sadvika!
Cindy such an essential thing to highlight in life which is happiness 🙂 We generally have the tendency of postponing our happiness and how well u have penned down regarding our happiness being dependent on people and situations. I think it’s high time people enhance theirs and surrounding people’s happiness index!! Superb article 👌
tRUE, aISHWARYA!
We generally have the tendency of postponing our happiness and how well u have penned down regarding our happiness being dependent on people and situations. Well written….
What a great thoughts. It’s so important to stop and notice that things in our lives that brings happiness. I am a firm believer that happiness lies within us.