Happy Essence Blog

“Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” is one of the most famous phrases in the United States Declaration of Independence. We are living our lives under these hallowed ideals. We forget that happiness can not be pursued. Happiness must ensue.

People like you and me are constantly in pursuit of happiness. For us happiness is like that elusive butterfly that always escapes from our grasp. As a result we keep pursuing happiness never to attain it. In today’s world the pursuit of happiness promotes a shallow approach to life. We gauge happiness through tangible things.

Pursuit of happiness is about enjoying things you like, avoiding or changing things you do not like, and accepting what you cannot change. If you follow this tenet in your life you will be well on your way on your pursuit of happiness.

Do you like friends who are serious and seldom laugh or smile? I don’t and I am sure you don’t. But what sort of friend are you? Do you make your friends happy? Do you cultivate happy friendships?

When you are with friends, make yourself look happy. Automatically this will reflect on your friends. This is the ultimate unspoken rule for happy friendships.

Our feeling and emotions are reflected in our body language. To change your physical state you need to change your mental state. If you are feeling down, try and look happy and cheerful. As strange as it may sound, it really works and does wonders.

Happy friendships also depend on how we talk and relate our friends. At times we are so self absorbed that we completely ignore what our friends have to say. To make happy friendships you need to make time to listen to your friends. Listen to what they are saying without pretensions or interruptions.

Making happy friendships is all about giving and receiving. Take time out and tell your friends how much you appreciate their friendship and them. This will make them happy and make your friendship stronger.

We all need friends in our lives. Friendships help us sail through turbulent times in life. Keep a happy state of mind when you are with your friends and you will be making happy friendships. Appreciating your friendships will make happy friends and in turn make your life happier. 

Have you come across happy people who derive pleasure from helping others around them without expecting anything in return? Just the gesture of helping and benevolence is enough for these people to derive pleasure.

When was the last time you helped a complete stranger? I am sure you will have to think really hard to come up with that answer. Most of us never help a person unless we can get something in return from the person. You scratch my back, I scratch yours.

Just like a flower, which selflessly spreads its fragrance around, happy people are spreading their altruism without any strings attached. These happy people are dedicated to doing good for the sake of goodness, not just in expectation for what they can receive in return.

These happy people are the people who will cheerfully stop to help you change a flat tire but who will not accept any money for their work. Their reward was helping you and knowing that they did a good deed.

Happy people will share goodness with others in hope but not expectation they will receive it in return. Part of their personal mission is to try to make the world a happier, more helpful place. Happy people are the ones that restore our faith in humanity. It is because of them we introspect and realize that we can make this world a happier and better place to live in. There is more happiness in giving than in receiving.

 

Like most people, I was so engrossed making money and trying to be what I thought was expected of me. I never took time to watch the snow caress the leaves or smell the freshly mowed grass in my garden or stop and listen to my children’s laughter. I assumed happiness and prosperity were one and the same.

I was under the notion that if I succeeded in my career, had a nice house and a nice car, I would be happy. To me, happiness and prosperity were interlinked. Somehow, things didn’t go according to my game plan. One day when I switched on the TV and saw the smiling happy faces of children in ragged clothes in third world countries, it suddenly dawned that happiness and prosperity are not connected.

I used to think that happiness would come as a result of achievements or events in my life. But a seed of doubt must have been growing inside me because I started realizing, slowly, that happiness and prosperity can not be the same. If I wanted to experience true happiness, I would have to change my way of thinking and my behavior. 

Today after years of being under misconception, I know that happiness and prosperity are not intertwined. I sit in the morning and thank my lucky stars for wealth I have in my life: my spouse, my kids and my health. I am content and happy. Are you?

 

Retirement is not the end of your life. It is a beginning of a new life. Retirement is not something you should dread or be stressed about. It is possible to find happiness in retirement.

Happiness in retirement is about finding new sense of pleasure. There are number of ways to find happiness in retirement. Let’s take a look at some of them

1. Pursue your aspirations

Take this opportunity to pursue your dreams and aspirations. Things you kept putting aside when you were busy and working. This could be a hobby or anything you wanted to do but never had the time for it.

2. Plan activities

Keep yourself busy. Don’t think that retirement is the end of your life. It isn’t. Staying mentally and physically active will give you a new purpose in life and keep your spirits up.

3. Laugh and have a fun time.

Just because you are retired you don’t have to be very serious. Laugh, have fun with friends, family and acquaintances. Enjoy yourself and you will feel happy.

4. Spend time with loved ones

While you were young, you spent time working and keeping a busy schedule. Now you can relax and spend quality time with your loved ones - children, grandchildren and friends.

These few tips will ensure you find happiness in retirement. Just be open and receptive to experiencing the good life and happiness after retirement. Remember retirement is the time when you can be happy and fulfilled.