Happiness is a virtue

 "I only know that for the most part I have followed instinct rather than intelligence, and this has resulted in a modicum of happiness", writes Ruskin Bond in an attempt to elucidate happiness. He further explicates by adding, "life hasn't been a bed of roses, and yet, quite often, I've had roses out of season". This is a beautiful way of expressing the emotion of happiness. To be happy can mean different things for different individuals, what gives one happiness could also be a reason for despair for the other. It is something intangible and occupies various horizons for every individual. It is not something we can sought, it is something which we have within us. It can be felt when we are content, when we are happy wherever we are, whatever we are doing, when there is no urgency to constantly search for something else.

Some people while trying to look for happiness - tend to neglect what could cause happiness in their lives. However, some people find pleasure in accumulation of stuff which fits into their constructed definition of happiness. And some are only aware of it in its absence. The different experiences of life shapes an individual and through the frame with which we see the world, we try to find happiness. A popular Chinese folklore tells the story of the wandering monk who lived many years ago, whose only possessions, he carried in a sack hung on his back, and that was all. He kept travelling from place to place carrying this sack with him and this was the only thing he owned. He spread happiness and joy wherever he went and till today the Chinese Fengshui practices have an artefact known as the 'Laughing Buddha' which denotes the monk. The statue of the laughing buddha signifies happiness does not lie in materialistic world, but it is in owning minimal. As Ruskin Bond articulates that though life has not been a bed of roses but there have been plenty of unanticipated moments of exhilaration, which have turned his life meaningful. 

In Homer's Odyssey we come across a community called the 'Lotus-eaters' which has references from the Greek mythology. This refers to a clan who live on an island which is heavily populated by an imaginative plant called the lotus tree which has intoxicant properties, which was the primary food of the inhabitants of the community. This plant after consumption induced sleep in the inhabitants and produce daydreaming.

"The Lotus Eater' by William Somerset Maugham shares an interesting tale of a young man with a successful career who planned to accumulate wealth in a few years and then quit his job early and live a life of merriment. This wealth would be enough for a number of years and once he exhausts all of it, he would then take away his life. At the end it is revealed that true to his plan, this young man lives a satisfactory life, but is unable to end his life as planned initially. Without any family and resources left, he leads a hapless life, also losing his sane. The author chronicles this account and shares with us that without hurdles in life one could lose the strength to take decisions. And the young man who lived the life of a lotus eater for so many years had lost the courage to abide by his commitment.

The 'Igikai' is a Japanese ancient philosophy which equates happiness with self purpose. The concept of Igikai draws attention to one's self worth, the true purpose of existence; if the goal us attained, happines comes along. It is interesting to note that the Japanese today have the second highest life expectancy in the world.

The Buddha believes in 'Nirvana' for securing happiness. The attainment of knowledge and calmness constitutes happiness and the 'awakened one' is free from the burdens of the world. The 'awakened one' is liberated from the attachments which is the cause of all the struggle and pain.

Loneliness is an impetus for unhappiness more than the lack of worldly materials. Also, as one tends to think about happiness in its absence, the lack of support and love in times of crisis, could be much of a source of sadness and pain. A person who believes in you is bliss. Friendships, love, care, empathy are all that one could get happiness from.  Also, there is a fine balance which one has to maintain in life. If much of the time is spent in merrymaking and enjoyment, then life could itself become a struggle and there should be some objectives towards which one has to work. The hardships in life are important, which make us strong and capable of giving happiness to others. The more we see the ugly face of life, the more we garner respect for happiness. We develop into individuals with a strong intuition which becomes a guide to live a happy and fulfilled life.