Happiness

All of us seek happiness. All of us want to be happy, and free of suffering. Nobody wants to be sad, miserable and unhappy. And yet, there are so many unhappy people around. Why is happiness so elusive? Or is it really? Maybe the fault lies in our looking for happiness in the wrong places, in our not understanding what happiness means, and what makes us happy.

Due to ignorance, we strive to find happiness in places where it cannot be found. We keep on doing this because superficial appearances delude us into thinking that it can be found where we seek it – within the world of desires and senses. However, true happiness cannot be found there. Thus, our efforts lead us to more frustration and unhappiness.

So where can happiness be found? How can one be happy? What is the definition of happiness? Perhaps the answer lies in the following words of wisdom.

Happiness ...

… doesn’t depend on any external conditions, it is governed by our mental attitude. - Dale Carnegie 

… isn’t the easiest thing to find, but one place you’re guaranteed to find it is in a friend’s smile. - Allison Poler 

… grows at our own firesides, and is not to be picked in strangers’ gardens. - Douglas Jerrold

… comes only when we push our brains and hearts to the farthest reaches of which we are capable. - Leo C. Rosten

… often sneaks in through a door you didn’t know you left open. - John Barrymore

… does not consist in pastimes and amusements, but in virtuous activities. - Aristotle

… depends more on the inward Disposition of mind than on the outward Circumstances. - Benjamin Franklin

… makes up in height what it lacks in length. - Robert Frost

… walks on busy feet. - Kitte Turmell

… does not depend on how much you have to enjoy, but how much you enjoy what you have.

… begins with a light hearted and cheerful perception of the world.

… lies in our own backyard, but it’s probably well hidden by crabgrass.