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HAPPINESS
A philosopher once remarked that he was never so happy as when he took
off the Shoes which were pinching. His remark contains much wisdom. In
a sense, happiness is the feeling of relaxation or relief which comes
after the feeling of inconvenience or discomfort or pain. We feel
similar happiness when we get what we desire or crave for intensely, or
when we get back something which we had lost. For example, a poor man is
happy when he gets a new set of clothes.
It is obvious that we cannot have a set formula for being happy. First,
let us see what we should not do. We should avoid irregularities and
excesses. We should avoid intoxicants like tobacco or drugs. We should
not be excited or irritated over small matters. Now let us see what we
should do to be happy. Health and wealth are two essential conditions of
happiness, though by themselves they cannot secure happiness. Health is
perhaps the most essential condition of happiness. Many rich persons are
found to be unhappy on account of ill- health, tension and worries. But
we should have enough money to live a decent life. In addition to these
two basic conditions, there are certain other essential conditions of
happiness. We should always be contented with our lot. We should try to
be cheerful and optimistic under all circumstances. We must never forget
that every dark cloud has a silver lining. We should do our duty
sincerely without expecting results or rewards. We should not live a
self-centred life.
We must always remember that real and lasting happiness is not external
but internal. It is the result of an attitude, a state of mind which
enables us to remain contented with what we have or have achieved, to
preserve our peace of mind under all circumstances, and to carry on our
duties without expecting results or rewards. A happy man is at peace
with himself and his surrounding and possesses peace and tranquillity of
mind which remain unruffled by external disturbances.
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