Image is AI generated
There is something in Westlifes boys old song Flying Without Wings that somehow continues to linger with me to these days. The song talked about how everyone is trying to find that one thing that makes life complete, and that thing is what could make them happy and it's quite different for everyone.
Some people find happiness in money believing that will make their life complete. If they have enough money, it will bring them the freedom they desire and with that freedom comes peace. While others find happiness in relationships, believing that having the right woman or man in their lives makes life complete.
Some people find happiness in pleasures that comes with the opposite sex, while some others turned to alcohol, drugs, partying and other forms of entertainment to escape whatever they are dealing with.
But there are others who finds happiness in the simple things in life, ard this is the category I belong. Hearing the voices of my children each morning is enough to start my day happily; knowing that they are around me and watching them grow gives me reason to keep going.
Being able to provide for them is another source of my happiness and a reason to keep working hard; it shows me that my efforts are not in vain, and I am being appreciated beyond words.
I also find happiness in paying the bills, and solving problems, particularly if it involves money. There is something truly satisfying about being able to sort out a problem that has been weighing on your mind.
Making another persons life a little better is also one of my drivers of happiness - A simple favour, or a helping hand is something that gives me satisfaction which cannot be bought by money.
The other thing I have discovered is that if you rely on another person or something outside of yourself for happiness, more often than not disappointment closely follows. Because people change, relationship change, money finish, and circumstances don't always remain the same.
Sometimes we spend so much time looking for happiness that we miss all the things already around us that is giving us reasons to be happy. We keep waiting for the bigger moments, having a bigger house, having more money, having a new car, a better relationship, a higher paid jobs, but sometimes happiness is not about a major breakthrough, its just about surviving another tough day, having someone to talk to, having a family meal, waking up alive and breathing; and another chance to try again.
That is why everyone needs to identify what really makes them happy in particular, especially the kind of happiness that can survive the tough seasons.
What brings happiness for me, it's not about having everything I want; It's about being able to look around and appreciate what I have, hearing my children voices, providing for my family, overcoming problems, doing meaningful work, helping others and know that the presence of my life is making another person's life a bit better.
This is my entry for the IndiaUnited community weekly contest. You can check out the contest post from here if you care to participate.
