The Secret of Happiness

It is said, "Laugh and the world laughs with you. If you weep, you weep alone". So, the secret of happiness lies in having an aptitude for happiness. The aptitude can be developed through training ofthe mind by constantly reminding it of the positive aspects of life. One and the same occasion or incident can be interpreted by two different persons in two different ways - positively by the one and negatively by the other. The former is bound to be happy; the latter cannot escape melancholy.

Browning has said "God's in this heaven and all's right with the world". This is high optimism which is • the genesis of true happiness. This universe is very vast and varied. Nature spreads all around us in full bloom. It is only for us to behold it and we are richly rewarded if we do so. Our reward is joy, everlasting happiness!

We should develop the attitude to realize that whatever happens, happens for our good. "I do not choose the best; the best chooses me," says Tagore in "Stray Birds" Even if clouds of sorrow darken our lives sometimes, we should not feel depressed. We should remember the immortal words of the famous English poet, Shelley: "If winter comes, can spring be far behind?"

Much of misery in life comes also because of ill health. So, the children must He taught from the very beginning to take regular exercise to build strong body and to ward off diseases. Similarly, one must work hard to get proper education and training. "Work is worship" is well said. Similarly, we are told: "An idle man's brain is the devil's workshop." A busy man is always a happy man. He does not have to feel the pinch of boredom and ennui. Moreover, proper education and training received at the proper time, enable a person to get a suitable job .

Petty shortcomings of others should be forgiven and forgotten. After all, we are all human beings and 'To err is human." We should also keep our mind pure and free from and malice. Such things spread unhappiness on all sides.

One important way of remaining happy is to have a broad outlook and a cheerful demeanour. We should be considerate to others' difficulties and limitations, and we should try to help them by all legitimate means to come out of the blues. We should not run after materialistic pursuits, short-lived glory and power. Instead, we should think and strive to ameliorate the lot of humanity without any discrimination and superficial distinction. We should have good companions who have a healthy outlook towards life. We should avoid miserliness and meanness. Devotion to one's duty is one of the greatest sources of happiness.

The famous poetess Emile Bronte says,
"Riches I hold in light esteem
And love I laugh to scorn;
The lust of fame is but a dream
That vanished with the morn.

Accordingly, we can have taste of eternal happiness by tuning our minds to the purity of nature and spirit instead of playing second fiddle to false love and feigned friendship.