If there is one thing that all humans have in common, it is the desire for happiness. We are all, each one of us, in the never ending pursuit of this most coveted state of being.
But happiness is an elusive mistress. Always just beyond grasp. At any point of time, there is always that one object, event or person that seems to hold the key to happiness. If only that one thing could be attained, you could be happy. Many never make a serious attempt to pursue happiness.However, there are few who chase after their chance to be happy with everything they've got, not resting till they have it in their hands.
And the moment the finishing line is crossed, the mountain is scaled or the trophy lifted, you are rewarded with a flood of endorphins in your brain. Every nerve ending is tickled. You are happy. Completely, truly happy. The ecstasy is however, criminally short lived. Soon the high ebbs. The object of happiness loses its ability to make you feel singularly alive. It becomes part of your life's narrative and you land squarely back on earth. We are subconsciously aware of the slippery nature of happiness. This is probably why we tear up or feel melancholic when experiencing immense happiness. Even in the moment, we are aware of how it's slipping through our fingers.
So the moment passes and before you know it, you feel listless, empty. Much like a bride does, the day after the wedding. You neither feel the rush of adrenaline that you often experience while chasing a goal nor the ecstasy of wish fulfillment. You will search for an unfulfilled desire or another goal to fixate on. May be you will obsess over a problem you are currently facing and decide that your nirvana lies in finding its solution. Just one more thing and then you can be happy. Right?
Happiness maybe fleeting and transient but negative emotions stick. Like glue. Dissatisfaction, boredom, disappointment, hurt, guilt, longing, regret and so many more demons are always lurking in the corner waiting to barge in through the tiniest of cracks. And once they are in, they stay. For days, sometimes weeks.
I guess as humans we are programmed to cling to negative emotions. Feelings of dissatisfaction, insecurity and fear are probably responsible for the survival of the human race. If our ancestors were a perfectly happy, content and complacent lot, none of us would have been here.
Clearly, the odds are stacked against us. So easy to slip into despair, so difficult to be happy. Just like every other person who is not fighting for his or her life, dealing with abject poverty or some other extreme adversity, I have pondered deeply on this existential problem.
More and more I am beginning to believe, gratitude is the key to enduring happiness. Sure, it's not glamorous or path breaking but it works. At least, for me, it does. Whenever, I feel the blues coming on, I force myself to think of something I am grateful for. Thinking of simple things to be grateful for such as being alive, being healthy- physically and mentally, food in the fridge or half a bar of chocolate in the drawer, makes me feel better. Focusing on how much I have rather than what I don't, gives me perspective. It doesn't make me feel on top of the world but it makes me happy in a quiet way. It makes me happy enough.
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