By Christopher Kabamba
Happiness is the most sought after "commodity" in the world and the ultimate quest of every soul. Everything else just seems to be a means to the attainment of this most coveted end. In his contemplation on the subject of happiness, Aristotle the great philosopher concluded that to be happy is "the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence." The theologian; the agnostic; the street vendor; the cab driver; the highest paid executive and the ruler of his people are all looking for their share of happiness in this world. It is a goal that pushes them out of bed every morning and keeps them awake in the night watches. They scale the highest of mountains and descend into the deepest of valleys in search of this most valued asset. Civilization itself is the consequence of this pursuit.
Coveted as it is, happiness is probably the most elusive of all human longings. Much of this skirting has to do with the false impression that most people have as to what the true nature of happiness is and how it is attained. For many, the seeking after, knocking and the crying for happiness seem to fall on the deaf ears of fate or an unyielding deity. People spend all their lives "postponing" their happiness, waiting for "perfect circumstances." Like a mirage on a hot and sunny day, they see that happiness would be theirs, "if only they get that job, marry that man or woman, get that promotion, buy that car, and move in that neighborhood"; the list is endless. With a gloomy face, they scrap through their days, not savoring the blessings and joys of the moments of life. Their focus is on the time yet to come "when everything will be in place." For a moment, those that manage to achieve their goals and "get that job or promotion, marry that man or woman, buy that car, move into that neighborhood", bask in the joys of accomplishment but their artificial and stimulated happiness is short-lived. Soon they are back in the wilderness, looking for the next pill to be happy again.
Not so many people notice this trend; very few seek lasting peace that can only be found when true and lasting joy and happiness is attained. The tomb crowns the life of man on earth. In most cases, death comes whilst these people are still searching. This is the gloomy template of the lives of many people.
The reason why happiness eludes many people is because they have bought into a wrong concept. Many people see happiness as an end and something outside of themselves. They constantly "search" for it outside of themselves. To this group of people, I have a word of advice: "if you cannot find happiness inside of you, you cannot find it anywhere else." Happiness dwells within. It is a state of mind; a cause of its own effect; seed of its own fruit and means of its own end. It can be brought to bear by any willing heart and any trained mind. American businessman, author and speaker hit the nail on the head when he reckoned, "Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful."
Stop looking at happiness as an end (only), happiness is a means too. Man thrives when he is happy, and when he thrives he is happy. If you are looking for happiness in "success", you have failed before you even begin; you are fighting a losing battle. As a seed of its own fruit, happiness is the requirement for success, not the result thereof. Never wait for "good" things to happen before you can be happy. Those that view accomplishments or possessions as the primary cause of happiness wait all their lives and even when they gain these possessions, they find that they are not as happy as they thought they would become. Material possessions have never been the cause of true happiness. Happiness is and has always been its own cause. It takes happiness to be happy. Leo Tolstoy, a Russian writer widely regarded as a great novelist has very simple and sound advice for every weary soul, "If you want to be happy, be."
There is no other way to be happy, except to be happy. Honestly, why should you keep yourself waiting for some external event to happen if you can be happy now? All you need to be happy is your own permission to be happy, nothing else. Let this be the disposition of your heart and mind; you will be surprised how things begin to work out for you once you take happiness as a seed as opposed waiting for it as a fruit. The man who can be happy without reason has mastered his life.
Promise yourself, never to go through another day with gloomy face and a weighed down heart! This is what I am doing. It is irresponsibility of the highest order to wait for a reason to be happy when you can be happy without one. It has never been a requirement that anything needs to have a reason to be happy. It is unnecessary to wait for "things to work out" before you can give yourself permission to be happy. This is why personal growth and development becomes cardinal. Consciously pursue personal growth; challenge your limiting beliefs; not even the sky is the limit for what you are capable of. Be happy now.
Christopher Kabamba is an IT professional with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science from the Copperbelt University, Zambia. He is a student of personal growth and development. He desires to take up a professional career as an Author, Public Speaker and Life Coach. He documents some of his thoughts on Personal Growth and Development on his blog: http://kabamba.wordpress.com
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