Humankind has become physically, mentally, socially and economically slaves to some visible and invisible forces. Happiness is to live life to the fullest. To find true happiness, we must shun materialism and live our life as it comes.
By Syed Mustafa Ahmad
Everyone wants to be happy throughout their life. One is ready to face despair, but it becomes tough to carry on when despair doesn’t seem to go away. This is exactly happening with us. We smile because we are forced to smile. We are in search of happiness that is permanent. The happiness that doesn’t leave us in a huff. But this is not possible. But who snatched happiness from us? Who has given us despair? Why are others happy? What is the way out to be happy? Is happiness temporary or permanent? These are some basic questions that haunt us day in and day out. I have been trying to come to a conclusion but to no avail. Here, I would like to throw some light on the causes of despair.
Firstly, we only want material. For this, we can do anything. If by chance, we fail to get it, we fall into the depths of despair. It is a well-known fact that materialism is a curse if it takes extreme shape when the only motive of life becomes materialism and other things take a backseat. Religious and non-religious scriptures abhor the large accumulation of material things. They want you to rise above these things. The main motive of life is self-introspection. It is self-introspection that will prepare the ground for God’s realisation. At this stage, a person’s concern is to feel contented. They do not want more than those things that fill his necessities. This mindset and the way of living is an asset. But, after fulfilling the needs of life and still craving more and more, it will result in such destruction that brings gloom and nothing else.
Secondly, we work against divine principles. The divinity is evident in declaring that this world is fun. It is created for you, but you are created for something else. We are trying to change the divine rule. We think that we are created for the world, and the next world is a mirage. We believe in enjoying the present. But this is a false mentality. Suppose the Creator says that this world is not all about happiness but a testing ground for exploring the self-realised personalities, then there is no logic in saying that I am not happy in this world. The foundation of life lies in sadness, and yet we expect eternal happiness. This paradox won’t allow anyone to live in peace. Until and unless we don’t make peace with the realities of life, there is no hope of getting permanent happiness.
“Nature has given us an open choice to choose what you want. Nature doesn’t force anyone to do this or not. It motivates us to do something for ourselves. It is up to us to make the best of moments.”
Thirdly, we never live our lives. However, it is good to take the best things from others and implement them in our lives to live good lives and prepare the ground for the coming generations. But it makes no sense when we go on imitating all the things that come in our way. Everyone is free in this world. The world is an open chapter in front of a person. Nature has given us an open choice to choose what we want. Nature doesn’t force anyone to do this or not. It motivates us to do something for ourselves. It is up to us to make the best of moments. If my mindset says that society should follow this principle to achieve that, why should I follow others in this way? Yes, I will accept the suggestion of others, if any, but I won’t allow my mind to become habitual of imitation. I will live according to my marvellous brain, heart, body, etc. But if a person goes on living the lives of others, somewhere down the line, they will feel suffocated, and the clouds of despair will engulf them from all sides. We are physically, mentally, socially and economically slaves to some visible and invisible forces. This mind-set should be changed to get permanent happiness. We have to start living our lives.
Lastly, at the moment of a slight disturbance, we lose all hope and become pessimistic. All the work done in an optimistic field falls flat. This attitude is very harmful. Until we don’t go through the darkest tunnels of life, how can we enjoy the brightest days? It is these dark tunnels that help in shaping a personality. But our condition is so unique that we are not ready to go through this experience. We want ease. And when it doesn’t come, our faces fall, and we fall in despair.
The above-mentioned issues make it clear that to achieve happiness, and there is no magic wand. We have to live our lives according to the divine plan. It is because the divine plan is time tested. Despair won’t last long if the divine plan is executed in letter and spirit. The need of the hour is to find ways to be happy. Let us try to leave pessimism and embrace optimism so that happiness is back in our lives. It leaves us when we don’t know its value. So, value and cherish life as much as you can.
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