THE
SECRET OF HAPPINESS
Happiness is not a dream. It is a reality. God has created
all the resources of happiness for all living beings. There is plenty to eat
and drink. Life suffers from no pain, if it is lived virtuously. It becomes
sick and distressful when it commits some deadly sin. The list of socio-moral
virtues to be followed is not long. You are expected to be just, kind, loving,
calm, compassionate, contented, active, co-operative, selfless, humble, appreciative,
grateful, and morally upright.
There are legitimate
desires for survival and enjoyment. Their limit should not be crossed. To go on
enhancing your hunger for luxuries and unnecessary desires is to spoil your
happiness. You can have a peaceful sleep when you are satisfied with your
simple life and high thinking; and fearless if you have committed no wrong according
to divine rules.
Apart from yourself, it is the government of the day which
has to ensure the state of happiness. A government which cannot provide to its
citizens paid employment, food,
clothing, shelter, health care, peaceful environment, clean water, pure air and
some occasions of seasonal festivities is guilty of
incompetence.
Remember, all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.
Fulfilment of one’s ambition is not a vice. It enables a
person to give his best to the world. It is also a major factor that
contributes to one’s happiness.
The people at the helm
of affairs must create enough opportunities for the pursuit of the legitimate ambition
of every individual.
To conclude, this quote by Scottish archbishop James Sharp (1618-79):
If you cannot be happy in one way, be in another; this facility of disposition
wants but little aid from philosophy, for health and good humor are almost the whole
affair. Many run about after felicity, like an absent man hunting for his hat,
while it is in his hand or on his head.
********
G.R.Kanwal
30 January 2025
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