Happiness is an abstract concept. It is paradoxical. Some people are successful and happy outwardly. Yet they are deep empty inside. It is not my presumption and any hypothetical judgement. I know very well that I am not the expert in other people’s lives. These statements are extracted as per the acknowledgement of their feelings and opinions through the direct interactions and communication with them.
One story is vivid in my mind. It goes of a person who was a center of attraction for many people in a village. He owns a beautiful house on the top of the hill. In the morning, he walks all the way down the hill to go his office. The people often greet him on the way. He responds them back with mesmerizing smile. His custom, dress-up and all the possessions were enchanting. He is the person of knowledge and wisdom as well. People wish they could have life like him. Some people desperately want to live a life like him. The same rhythm continues for many years. One day, in the morning unusual things happen in the village. Most of the people look sad, confuse and perplexed. It is revealed that the person who is the star for many people’s eyes and role model of the people’s heart found death. He committed suicide a day go. The story ends.
In my opinion, the major problem in today’s modern world capitalist society is that success and happiness are seen outwardly. We do the halo-judgement to the people by looking superficially. Happiness is an abstract concept and it is often taken in anther way. The concept of happiness is often misunderstood and misinterpreted. Lets’ do one small activity- “Close your eyes for a moment and imagine a life of happy people.” Do it. Do imagine. Most of you might conjure an image of people laughing, eating, partying, driving an expensive car, owning a big house etc. Very few people conjure a picture of a woman enjoying a great book, a man just enjoying gardening, a couple married for fifteen years walking hand in hand etc.
Honestly speaking-happiness is not success. Happiness is not either pleasure and fun. Too many people equate happiness with success, physical pleasure and fun. These are myths that distract us from true happiness. We all have a path and we all tend to be a better version of ourselves. We take the course in life to make our journey successful. Perhaps, happiness is merely a byproduct of the journey.
Embrace the journey and create the meaning into life.
I genuinely do understand when clients say they’re looking for a change, but don’t know what it is yet or how to achieve it. Because I have been there, done that and thankfully was lucky enough to walk away to now be doing a job where I never have to think “Thank God it’s Friday (TGIF).”
