Finding True Happiness

IF YOU EVER WANT TO BE HAPPY, TIE IT TO A GOAL, NOT TO PEOPLE OR OBJECTS - Albert Einstein

A lot of people don't really understand or know how to experience true happiness and continually stay happy, because they are chasing happiness the wrong way. Many people believe more money would bring them happiness, so they keep pursuing money, not knowing that happiness can't be bought with money because it is far greater than money.

Since happiness is far greater than money, money loses it's worth and value in the bid to chase happiness, and that is why, the more money they make, the farther happiness moves away from them. if this wasn't true, every rich and famous people would always be happy; but you and I know a lot of them are facing depression and some had committed suicide as a result of this. Bob Marley said - money is number and numbers never end. If you base your happiness on money then your search for happiness will never end.

Money is good but it doesn't guarantees happiness. If you tie your happiness to money or possession, then it's definitely not going to last for long or you might not find one at all. The day you lose those things, that is the day you lose your happiness. My siblings and I grew up having little, but we were contented and happy with the little. But much later in the future, I became a little successful, had enough money to play with and some possessions.

I was so attached to my success, however, the storm came and blew away virtually everything I had. My happiness left with it, things became so bad because I could hardly concentrate anymore. I became a shadow of myself. I remember a friend telling me, Felix, when you had little you were so happy, how come you are almost becoming miserable now that you have money. Then I realized one would be treading on the part of death if you make money or possession your source of happiness.

True and lasting happiness comes by living a purposeful life, it comes by making others happy, it comes by appreciating what you have and living with it. Being happy doesn't mean the day is perfect, it only means you have decided to overlook the imperfection of the day. Two things would help you find happiness and fulfillment, and they are Purpose and Happiness.

Purpose is greater than happiness and within it abounds unending joy which flows from within outwardly. You could also buy happiness with happiness, because happiness is like diamond, and only diamond can cut a diamond. What this means is that, you would find happiness by making other people happy.

Have you ever imagine why you are always bitter, and find it difficult to smile? the answer is simple. When you make life bitter and terrible for other people, you would never find happiness, because it is what you sow you reap. This is just a simple principle of harvest. If you sow bitterness, you would harvest bitterness; and if you sow happiness, you would harvest happiness. one of my famous African musicians said - you can not sow cassava and expect to harvest rice, it is totally impossible.

The word purpose may seem to be a big word for many people, but it actually a simple word with a simple meaning. Albert Einstein said try not to become a man of success but try to become a man of value - that is purpose. Success could mean you have plenty of money, success could mean you have a lot of possession, but it will never mean you are purposeful. Purpose has to do with the value you create in the life of people, the positive impact you make in the life of people. Purpose is always about people and not about you.

You don't need much money to be happy, you don't need half of the world to be happy, all you need to be happy is the little you have, see others the way you see yourself, make them happy and create value in their life.

There is this Chinese proverb I love so well and it says - If you want the reward for one year, grow vegetables, if you want the reward for ten years, grow trees, but if you want the reward for 100 years, grow people. This proverb so much explain how making people happy would make you happy. If your pursuit in life is not about people, then you are only pursuing success and not purpose.

Never say I don't have what it takes to make this happen; just a warm smile to someone could do the magic, just a little respect for people and letting them know how well you respect them could do the magic. You do not need much to achieve this, all you need is to give a little of what you have and show little care. Bob Marley said - some people are so poor, all they have is money. That means in the game of purpose and happiness money is worthless.

Make it a responsibility today to put a smile on the face of someone and see how happiness would flow from within your bosom. Don't border about yesterday, yesterday is gone, but you have today to make a great change and you may not have tomorrow, this is because today is the only day we all have, no one has right to tomorrow. Do all you need to do now and never say tomorrow.

Make someone happy and get happiness as a reward

Best wishes,

Felix Aiwekhoe (Life and a business coach)