Happiness is a journey, not a destination

Author JM Green says: “Everyone has a history. What you do with it is up to you. Some repeat it. Some learn from it. The really special ones use it to help others.”

When Indian billionaire Ratan Tata was asked by a radio presenter in a telephone interview: “Sir, what do you remember when you got the happiest in life?” Tata replied: “I have gone through four stages of happiness in life, and I finally understood the meaning of true happiness. The first stage was to accumulate wealth and resources. But at this stage I didn’t get the happiness I wanted. Then came the second stage of collecting valuables and items. But I realised that the effect of this thing is also temporary and the luster of precious things does not last long, then came the third phase of getting a big project. That was when I had 95% of the diesel supply in India and Africa. I was also the owner of the largest steel factory in India and Asia. But even here I did not get the happiness that I had imagined. The fourth step was when a friend of mine asked me to buy wheelchairs for some disabled children, about 200 children.

“At the behest of my friend, I immediately bought the wheelchairs. But the friend insisted that I go with him and hand over the wheelchairs to the children. I got ready and went with him. There I gave these children the wheelchairs with my own hands. I saw a strange glow of happiness on the faces of these children. I saw them all sitting in wheelchairs, moving around and having fun. It was as if they had reached a picnic spot, where they were sharing a winning gift. I felt real happiness inside me. When I decided to leave, one of the kids grabbed my leg. I tried to slowly release my legs, but the child looked at my face and held my legs tight. I leaned over and asked the child ‘do you need anything else?’ The answer this kid gave me not only shocked me but also completely changed my outlook towards life. The child said ‘I want to remember your face so that when I meet you in heaven, I can recognise you and thank you once again’.”

It is essential to recognise that happiness is a journey, not a destination. It is not a fixed state that, once achieved, remains constant. Life is filled with ups and downs, challenges and setbacks. Accepting this reality and embracing the imperfections and uncertainties of life is crucial in maintaining a positive and fulfilled mindset. Happiness is not about avoiding difficult emotions or experiences but rather, it is about building resilience, embracing growth and finding joy in the midst of adversity.

In his book The Happiest Man on Earth: The Beautiful Life of an Auschwitz Survivor, Eddie Jaku writes, “Be grateful for what you have.”

Jaku was a Holocaust survivor who lost everything, but he never gave up hope. He learned to be grateful for the small things in life, and he found happiness even in the darkest of times. In the mentioned book, he expresses his feelings saying that a smile can make a world of difference. It can brighten someone’s day and make you feel better about yourself. Forgive. Holding on to anger and resentment will only hurt you in the long run. Forgive those who have wronged you and move on with your life. Help others. Helping others is a great way to make your-self happy. It gives you a sense of purpose and makes you feel good about yourself. Live in the present moment. Don’t dwell on the past or worry about the future. Focus on the present moment and enjoy it to the fullest. Be kind to yourself. Treat yourself with the same kindness and compassion that you would treat others. Be positive. A positive attitude can go a long way. It can help you overcome challenges and achieve your goals. Be grateful for the people in your life. Cherish the people who love and support you. They are the ones who make life worth living. Never give up hope. No matter what life throws your way, never give up hope. Keep fighting for what you believe in and never give up on your dreams. Live your life to the fullest. Don’t waste a single day. Make the most of every moment and live your life to the fullest.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 12^th, 2023.

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