In pursuit of happiness

Because I’m happy/Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof/Because I’m happy/Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth/Because I’m happy/Clap along if you know what happiness is to you/Because I’m happy/Clap along if you feel like that’s what you wanna do

— “Happy” by Will Pharell

Everyone seems to be humming this song ever since it came out. But how many people actually feel this way? We all talk about being happy or wanting to be happy. But are any of us actually happy? I recently had the pleasure of meeting two rather phenomenal women, Rabea and Ayesha, who run a Dubai-based company called The Happiness Fitt. Their goal is to help people in their pursuit for happiness so that they can be more functional and satisfied with both their work and privates spaces. They believe that once the soul, body and mind are in sync and ‘fitt’ then one achieves happiness.

Talking to them made me realise that so many of us take happiness for granted. Rabea shared with me her personal journey of how one day it hit her that she was burnt out from her high-flying job in the corporate sector in the US. She was doing well financially but hadn’t taken a vacation in over 10 years. So she just took off and came to Dubai where she eventually moved and started The Happiness Fitt with her business partner, and now best friend, Ayesha.

Happiness is a beautiful feeling in all our lives and yet we spend our time looking for joy in physical things. We want a huge house, fancy cars, an Ivy League education, a trophy husband or wife — the list is never-ending. The tragedy is that the more you get, the more you want and nothing satisfies you. So, instead of finding happiness, you just start wallowing in the misery of what you still don’t have. So how does one find happiness then? Well, there isn’t any set formula that one can apply but we can take certain steps to give ourselves a better chance of getting that feeling. To begin with, take a vacation. I’m serious. When is the last time you took time off? Can’t remember? Well that’s a big indicator that you need to plan your getaway immediately. A vacation can provide you with the overhaul that your body and soul needs. You get to sleep, relax, live life at a mellow pace, read, listen to music, and just exist without any agenda.

Start exercising. Exercise not only releases hormones that naturally makes you feel good, it also relieves stress and anxiety, gives you more energy, makes you sleep better and helps make you more confident. People keep turning to ‘happy pills’ to feel better. All you have to do to feel better is go for a run or hit the gym instead of stuffing your body with unnecessary chemicals. Spend time with people that put a smile on your face. Avoid contact with people who suck the joy out of your life and who play a negative role. Certain people love criticising and putting other people down. These are unhappy people and honestly, the reason for their nastiness is unimportant. Just walk away. And if it is an unavoidable relationship like someone in your in-laws or a close family member, then restrict your interaction with them. Don’t let other people’s negativity poison your life.

Choose a career that isn’t just a job or a way to make money. Pursue your dreams and try to do what you are passionate about. Many people spend their lives working jobs they hate because they never had the guts to follow their dreams.

Give back. You will find that when you do nice things for other people, it will bring you joy. Whether it is charity work or community building or just going to visit an elderly neighbour, make time to be good to others. Give your time to people since it’s the most precious commodity you have. And remember, when you give to others the universe finds a way of repaying you. Lastly, learn to love and forgive yourself. We tend to be so loving and forgiving towards the whole world and yet we have issues with our own selves. Ultimately, the key to being happy is accepting yourself and spending your energy towards improving yourself and your life. Then you can focus on trying to make others happy as well.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 6^th, 2016.

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