By Henrylito D. Tacio
“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.” — Mahatma Gandhi.
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And it came to pass that three elderly Filipinos – who were once classmates in their youth – reunited. They were enjoying the shade of a decade-old mango tree while engaging in philosophical discussions. One was a prominent politician, another a university professor, and the third a humble farmer.
All three were envisioning what they would desire for the following day. The politician expressed that he wished for only two things: a new car that would take him to a white-sand beach. The professor stated he longed for a cup of hot coffee and to spend the day immersed in a good book at the library.
The farmer mentioned that he did not seek anything extraordinary for tomorrow, but rather the simple occurrences of everyday life, such as the sunrise, healthy crops, and birds nesting and singing in his fruit trees.
That night, a powerful earthquake struck the province. It destroyed the politician’s new car. The professor’s aspirations were also dashed: all the cups were shattered, and the library filled with books was consumed by flames.
However, the farmer’s desires remained completely unaffected by the quake. The sun rose as it always did, the crops continued to thrive, and the birds nested and sang in the branches of his fruit trees.
“Happy is the man who does not dream great things for the future but takes each day as a present from the hand of God,” so goes a Chinese saying. “All presents are good.”
Happiness, at best, is an illusory goal. “Happiness is not a destination; it is a manner of traveling,” Haim Ginott said. “It is not an end in itself. It is a by-product of working, playing, loving, and living.”
So, who is happy? Jane Canfield answered it well: “The happiest people are rarely the richest, or the most beautiful, or even the most talented. Happy people do not depend on excitement and ‘fun’ supplied by externals. They enjoy the fundamental, often very simple, things of life. They waste no time thinking other pastures are greener; they do not yearn for yesterday or tomorrow.
“They savor the moment, glad to be alive, enjoying their work, their families, the good things around them,” Canfield continued. “They are adaptable; they can bend with the wind, adjust to the changes in their times, enjoy the contests of life, and feel themselves in harmony with the world.”
Despite this, people continue to seek the elusive nature of happiness. Where can it be found? You can’t find it in pleasure. Lord Byron, if anyone, experienced a life filled with pleasure. He expressed: “The worm, the canker, and the grief are mine alone.”
Happiness is not derived from wealth. Jay Gould, the American millionaire, possessed an abundance of it. Upon his death, he remarked: “I suppose I am the most miserable man on earth.”
Lord Beaconsfield enjoyed more than his fair share of status and renown. However, neither brought him happiness. He stated, “Youth is a mistake; manhood, a struggle; old age, a regret.”
You won’t even find real happiness in military glory. Alexander the Great conquered the known world in his day. Having done so, he wept, because, he said, “There are no more worlds to conquer.”
An ailing man requested a philosopher to compose an inspirational thought that could be cherished through the ages. Thus, the sage penned: “Father dies, son dies, grandson dies.”
The ailing man, who was also quite wealthy, was disheartened by the message and protested, “Is that what you consider a joyful message for my family?”
The philosopher responded, “If your grandson were to pass away before you and your son, it would leave you heartbroken. If your family members depart in the sequence I have noted, is that not a sign of prosperity and happiness?
Happiness does not stem from possessing a great deal to sustain oneself, but rather from having significant reasons to live. Once, there was a man who had become disenchanted with life. One day, he resolved to depart from his hometown in pursuit of the ideal Magical City where everything would be transformed, novel, fulfilling, and rewarding. Thus, he left without bidding farewell to anyone.
During his travels, he found himself in a forest. As he prepared to rest for the night, he took care to remove his shoes and position them in the direction of his intended journey. However, unbeknownst to him, while he slumbered, an animal turned his shoes around. When the man awoke the following morning, he carefully stepped into his shoes and resumed his quest for the Magical City.
After several days, he finally arrived at the city he had sought. It was not as grand as he had envisioned, though. In fact, it appeared somewhat recognizable. He discovered a familiar street, knocked on a familiar door, and encountered a familiar family there – and they lived happily ever after.
The pursuit of happiness, as someone once remarked, is one of the primary causes of unhappiness. Just consider how joyful you would feel if you lost everything you currently possess – family, job, status, friends, home, etc. – and then regained it all.
Now, here’s a recipe for true happiness: Take equal parts of faith and courage, mix well with a sense of humor, sprinkle with a few tears, and add a helping of kindness for others. Bake in a good-natured oven and dust with laughter. Scrape away any self-indulgence that is apparent and serve with generous blessings.
Much happiness is oftentimes overlooked simply because it doesn’t cost anything.
