Is it Possible to be Happy?

I was searching Google Trends for something related to work and to my surprise one of the hottest trends was “Is it possible to be happy”. Why are people questioning this? Isn’t happiness the prerequisite for life?

Is it Possible to be Happy?

Yes, the times are tough. The memories of recession are still fresh on our minds. Jobs are hard to come by and clients are getting more demanding. While these things form the backdrop of our lives today, is it really a time to ask – Is it possible to be happy?

Results Based Happiness

For most of us “happiness” is conditional. I will be happy if I buy that new car. I will be happy if I get that job. I will be happy if my friend pays me a compliment. I will be happy if my aunt calls me on my birthday.

While all these circumstances do (and should) bring happiness, our ability to feel happiness should not depend on that. It should not mean that if I don’t get that car or job, I will be sad. If my friend doesn’t compliment me and my aunt forgets to call, I will be sad.

It is Possible to be Happy

Seeking results based happiness is too much energy into the wrong direction. Why? Simply because these things are temporary in nature. I believe that in order to be happy you need to have 2 things in place.
1.    You need to be happy inside
2.    You need to actively pursue happiness

It is Possible to be Happy – Part 1 – Happy Inside

For this, you need to do one very basic thing… Value Your Time. If you do this, you will begin to make the right decisions about what you really wish to channel your energy into. Then you’ll begin spending your day doing things that you really want to (or in laying the foundation for doing so). This will result in immense self satisfaction. As your continued energies bear fruit, you will have a strong sense of self worth.

Tip:

Put everything down on paper (or your computer).
Make a list of the things you’d really like to do (put down everything from finding a cure for cancer to spending time with your little one).
Make a list of what you’d like to achieve in the next one month, one year and five years.
Keep reviewing and updating this list.

It is Possible to be Happy – Part 2 – Pursuing Happiness

I have always felt very lucky. In fact, I have had conversations with people telling them how lucky I am. While I am lucky (touchwood!), I have also been blessed with the ability to actively pursue happiness.

Let me give you an example of what I mean. There has been a huge misunderstanding between a friend of mine and me. This was about three years ago. We were both hurt. I have called her a number of times because she is important to me. I call her once in every 4-5 months to tell her that she’s still important. She has hung up on me and sometimes told me never to call her again. Does that hurt me? Yes, it does. Will it make me stop calling her? No, it won’t. Why? Because the bad feeling I get from her responses are smaller than the good feeling of knowing that I am someone who values her friends and would never give up on them. The net emotion is positive. If she comes back into my life, people will say I have been lucky. Yes, I would be lucky… but I would have also worked towards it.

Tip: If you don’t have your dream car, keep working towards it. If your aunt doesn’t call you on your birthday, you call her.

For more on pursuing happiness, do read this.