The Pursuit of Happiness – Does it Make Sense?

gopimenon March 14th, 2009

Since time immemorial people have been pursuing happiness – but they don’t seem to be any nearer to capturing it! This is because they have been misinformed and deluded for centuries.  Even the American Declaration of Independence contains these  famous words:

“We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Unfortunately people have been misdirected by these words `pursuit of happiness’ being uttered in the same breath as Life & Liberty and thought the idea to be self-evident.   And they took it to be literally true.  But this is just not so!   Happiness is not `out there’ to be pursued and captured. True happiness comes from within us and is to be created and experienced. It is by not understanding this that most people spend all their lives `pursuing’ happiness and end up dying miserable!

  • Once we realize that happiness is within each one of us and can be created purposely by us and made into a regular habit, then we can be living happy every day of our lives!

The above sentence covers the essence of what I am going to be sharing in this blog.   However I know it is a great stretch for people to go from thinking `happiness is out there to be pursued/captured’ to `happiness is within us to be created and experienced’!   Hence in this blog we will be taking it slow, a step at a time so that anyone can follow the logic as well as the practical application of the tips I am going to suggest.

NOTE:   These tips are what I personally am still using to change my decades long  periods of misery to one of daily happiness.   Seems too good to be true?   Why not just keep an open mind and follow along, then make your own decision!    Accept it or reject it  – that’s your God given choice, but at least hear me out first!

Abe Lincoln says `Happiness is a Habit’  but I have to add that `Happiness is first of all a Choice, which by regular usage becomes a Habit’!   What do I mean by `Happiness is a Choice’?   Do we really have a choice?

Most of us go around asking:  “How can I be happy when`he makes me angry’ or `my job makes me frustrated’ or `my spouse does not support me’ etc?”   But is that really true?  Let us take a simple daily example that makes us upset, even furious at times.   I am talking about discourtesy on the road that causes some of us to  experience undue anger to the point of `road-rage’!

This is what I will be discussing in my next post:  How I overcame my own feelings of anger on the road. Make sure you catch it!

4 Responses to “The Pursuit of Happiness – Does it Make Sense?”

  1. # Enigmaon 16 Mar 2009 at 3:39 pm

    very nicely put. can’t wait for this blog to unfold and put forth all its pearls of wisdom.

  2. # Rathion 19 Mar 2009 at 1:09 am

    Dear Gopiettan,

    TQ very much for sending this to me. Your blog is on a subject that is very close to my heart as well. Enjoyed your articles aand will for sure be checking in every now and then.

  3. # Shobhaon 31 Mar 2009 at 10:43 am

    Dear Uncle,

    This is Shobha, Shamini’s aunt. I’m in Chennai. Just found out you blog and read your post! It’s fabulous! Keep up the writing. Will be a pleasure to visit now and then.

    And congrats on being a grandfather!

  4. # Shaminion 03 Apr 2009 at 9:42 am

    Hi Acha,

    U write so well! :)

    Glad to see the blog on our little Princess. Princess is doing well. Mummy finally got time to log online, as
    she’s fast asleep.

    Will update u with more pics as she grows! :)

    Congrats Achachan!

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