Happiness is an illusion
On a return trip from Delhi to Mumbai, my office friend had come to the airport to drop me. We were early and were therefore standing around discussing office work. To anyone looking at us, we were just normal guys, deep in serious conversation, while people around us were smiling and laughing. This made us even more conscious of our seriousness, prompting my friend to observe that everyone other than us were happy.
There was nothing in our countenance to give away the fact that we were worried guys, talking of the pressures of life. Though the conversation was serious, we were sure that we looked normal to others like they looked normal to us. We assumed that everyone there had his or her own problems to deal with, like work stress, family problems, financial troubles, even if their appearance and behaviour led us to believe otherwise.
Happiness is an illusion. It seems to exist but actually does not. It’s a facade that’s transient. We don’t feel good being unhappy cos unhappiness is a reflection of loss, failure, incompetence and guilt. We therefore pretend, making others believe that we are happy. Sadness, pain and disappointment are momentarily visible and at all other times well hidden behind smiles and laughters. That’s probably why it’s said that a smile can hide all the pain.
Now I pretend more than before, so that my family and friends don’t worry.?
So the next time don’t be misled by the smiles and laughters around you. The truth is, everyone is hurting like you and I.
IIM Nagpur- Brand, Marketing, E-Commerce, Games, Animation, Analytics & Digital Strategy. Ex - KPMG | Group M | Sony Pictures Network | Times Of India.
2 年Well said Pratap - Lord Krishna Says to Arjuna (Bhagavad Gita 8.15) and refers to this material world as Dukhayalam Ashashwatam - Temporary material world filled with miseries.
Founder & Managing Partner, Flibbr? Consulting - an award winning brand consulting firm trusted by global brands.
2 年Well said Pratap.
Regional Business Manager at Mirc Electronic Ltd, ONIDA
2 年Lucky to have such nice office friend
CEO & Founder of Content Marketing Agency, Thought In A Dot | Content Strategist for Leaders & Brands | Building Project Sakhi For Women Entrepreneurs | Mother |
2 年So true Pratap Singh after all, life's a stage... and the best one to hide behind are the best actors too. But, to me if the smiling and effort to keep happy becomes a habit, the joy in little things does become easier. Great thought.
Dean - Crescent School of Business at BSA Crescent Institute of Science and Technology | Change Agent in Business Education | Professor of Marketing & Strategy | Case Writer | New Initiatives
2 年Very True Sir...our face often masks the truth, often not to add to others' woes....well, that's good.