The truth about happiness

A mother once told her 5 year son that the happiness is the key to life. When he went to school his teacher asked him what he wanted to become when he grew up? He wrote down "Happy". His teacher told him he didn't understand the assignment. He told the teacher that they didn't understand the life. Happiness is something that we all looking for. In a particular way our idea makes us joyful is greatly influenced by world around us. In a recent study by Harvard University a group of young people were asked about one of the most important life goal. 80% of them explained it is to become rich. And 50% of the same audience said its to become famous. We are programmed to think that becoming rich and famous is the formula to become happy. But interestingly one forth of the CEO's suffer from depression. People chase money hoping for a big house and a comfortable bed. But 30% of people struggle hard to sleep at night. People chase fame knowing that it cannot appease the empty inside. As a society we work hard to provide money for our family. And the average American family spends only 37 minutes together in a day. We take photos every where we go but we don't capture the moment. Today we have fast car, fast food but we forget to fast forward to see the direction that life is moving in. What does research says about the same? Harvard University studies 724 men of 4 generation for over 75 years. And in the last 10 years included their wives as well. The health and happiness of people were tracked. With a series of questions. About their home life, work life and family life. The director of the study concluded it was not the wealth, fame or assets that made people healthier or happier. Rather it is the good relationship or embracing community that actually kept us happiest or healthier. The study showed those who have fulfilling relationship with their friends and family were happier and healthier than those who didn't. However much wealth and fame they have. Things are meant to be used and people are meant to be loved. But today's tendency is to love things and use people. We chase money, fame and recognition. Often forgetting to balance what we really matters our relationship and our inner fulfillments. You can tell how rich you are by counting the number of things that money cannot buy. And counting the people you have whenever you need. Just as we invest in our career need to balance our life. We need to invest in our relationship and in our own inner growth. The more we are self aware, more we connect to those around us. We need to be careful not to take our near and dear ones for granted. Remember appreciation and affection that is not expressed is rarely understood. Happiness of the heart is that happiness which is shared. - Shared by R Swamy