Have you ever explored how people define happiness? Definitions vary widely among individuals. A quick online search shows that happiness is one of the most frequently searched topics. With so much interest, why is there no clear, universally accepted definition?
If you asked someone what happiness means to them, they would likely try to describe it. They might explain what they need to feel happy and when they experience happiness or not. Yet, they might struggle to identify exactly what’s necessary to achieve happiness. If they don’t know what’s needed, how can they find it?
From discussions with many people, it was discovered that simple approaches often work best. I feel happy when I am well, and I don’t feel happy when I’m not. I believe anyone can sense whether they are feeling good or bad at any given moment, thus determining their happiness.
The crucial question is: what do we have when we are happy that we lack when we are not? What is essential for achieving happiness? If someone doesn’t know what’s needed, how can they achieve it?
The ability to engage in activities that bring joy is key. We can sum this up with one word: freedom. If someone can do what they enjoy, they can be happy; if not, they cannot. But freedom alone isn’t enough. Consider this example:
Imagine a child asking their parents if they can go outside to play with friends. To be happy, the child needs the freedom to play. But there’s another important factor. To truly feel happiness, the child also needs their parents’ approval. Simply wanting to play isn’t enough; the child will only feel happy if they actually get to go. This requires their parents’ permission. If both conditions are met, the child will be happy. If either is missing, happiness won’t occur. Even if the child quietly draws in their room—wishing they could play soccer with friends—and their parents praise their drawings, they won’t feel happy if they can’t go out. In the first case, freedom is present but approval is not; in the second, approval is present but freedom is missing. True happiness only occurs when both are present. Acceptance, often referred to as love, is crucial.
Therefore, happiness relies on two essential elements: freedom and love.
We should view happiness not just as a goal but as a process. It acts as an internal guide that shows whether we stay true to ourselves. A person can only be true to themselves if their actions bring them joy, meaning they are free. If not, they need to address the emotions highlighted by their unhappiness. Once they process these emotions and adjust their patterns, they can regain freedom, reconnect with their true self, and achieve self-acceptance. This allows for self-love. Achieving this requires working through emotions and changing patterns, because while we might deceive others, we cannot deceive ourselves. Happiness thus becomes the key to finding and following our own path and reconnecting with our true nature.
Source: https://www.analogmodszer.hu/