No one in this world is completely happy or fully satisfied. Every creature, big or small, must endure some form of pain and suffering. Even creatures like trees and plants, which produce food for others, live in constant fear of being consumed by herbivores animals. Herbivorous animals, in turn, are under the pressure of being consumed by the predators. Predators themselves have to face fierce competitions and are often tormented by blood-sucking insects.

Humans, which are considered the most advanced species on this planet (declared by humans off course), are not the happiest creatures. A person enters the world crying, and from the very beginning, he/she must learn, grow, and spend a significant portion of life—roughly 20 to 25 year in studying. After that comes work, which brings its own set of challenges and pains. Marriage, children, and family can also increase a person’s burdens. Illness, disease, poverty, insults, cruelty from others, accidents, and natural disasters all contribute to make human life difficult. These hardships affect every living being more or less, regardless of size or significance. We endure great suffering to survive, but eventually, our efforts are thwarted by forces beyond our understanding. In the end, it is only the death which releases us from our struggles.

The moments of joy we experience are evanescent, while the stretches of pain and suffering seem endless. Yet, when we do experience happiness, we often forget our struggles, only to be reminded that suffering is an inherent property of this world. No matter how much we try to justify our existence or find meaning in life, we often find ourselves defeated by the same illusions we create.

So, in this vast prison of existence, what should we do? To find the answer, the first step is to understand why we are here. We are all prisoners in this world. We are the victims of its harsh realities. Others may suffer because of our actions, so the solution starts after realizing our mistakes and inspecting our behavior toward others. We must change ourselves, become better people, and set a positive example for others. While we cannot alter the fundamental nature of the world, we can make it a little less cruel by improving ourselves.

This is the way of life. Money, property, and wealth cannot create everlasting happiness for us. Even the richest and most powerful people have been known to take their own lives. It proves that material success is not the key to get true joy. Happiness lies elsewhere.

It comes when one’s mind is free from vices, pressures, and worries. A cool, calm, and composed mind is the key to happiness. To achieve this state of mind, we must first change ourselves. It will make our years of prison less tough for us.

Thank you!