Happiness as I see is a fleeting golden moment that falls on our lap unexpectedly. But one profound truth that none of us can ignore is that “every moment of it comes at a price!” Time, effort, sacrifice, pain none of them comes cheap. Strangely, despite being nasty and awful in every sense of the experience each one of these emotion make the eventual onrush of happiness a pleasant surprise and all the more meaningful.
“My” happiness as I see it is an acceptance of life the way it comes to me or wondering about its shocking fortuitous drop into my hands. Oftentimes it underscores my inner serenity, an untroubled mind and freedom from anxiety rather than just momentary ecstasy or some heartsease pleasure.
It’s envious to think that happiness comes to others more by luck than by chance. Sadly we miss out on the unseen sacrifices. A completely besotted couple has likely waded through years of strife despair and effort before being united. The photojournalist posting stunning sunsets has probably planned narratives and endured a shutterbug life for months before he could succeed as a visual storyteller. Their happiness didn’t come free—they paid for it with honest intention and an unwavering attention.
As a child, I remember -happiness was so easy to come by. An ice candy on a hot summer afternoon after the school, an extra hour of play or even a hug from the loved ones was all it took to happen. Did it come at a price then? Hard to tell now but perhaps it was hidden in the tough love of parents and the unspoken sacrifices they must have made silently. Their quiet strength had made me see that happiness required me to ‘give before receiving’.
Years later I could figure out everything. Behind my every ‘I’m fine and doing well’ was a weary but determined soul- always.
Ever since then I have seen happiness as a gamble. It eats into your time, ready to exploit your vulnerabilities and rattle your courage before it yields something worthwhile.
A meaningful relationship! It requires trust, compromise, and a bit of forgiveness. An enriching career! You need perseverance, growth, and sometimes the resilience to bounce back from the fallen. Even the simplest of joys—like a morning stroll or cracking up with friends—need the willingness to step away for a while from the crush of daily responsibilities.
It’s Not Ok to Have a Boring Life
Do you recall the times you felt an overwhelming joy? When was that? Was it when after months of struggle you finally pulled off another win or when you chose to clear the air and mend a rocky relationship? If you are with me you’ll realize that those moments just didn’t happen. It takes countless hours of work, immense patience and tireless doggedness before you could finally turn your passion into something real and visible.
For me, late nights, overlooked gatherings, missed celebrations, ignored parties; paying for happiness never was a burden. It’s what made it special. The sacrifices, struggles and tears made the joy at the end feel so much deep and vibrant!
Happiness has now become more than a fleeting moment for me. It is rewarding, enriching and more meaningful than ever.
The wholeness isn’t accidental- I had earned it!
The Silent Upsides of Being Happy
The truth in fact lies in the life changing revelations that leave us empowered. You could actually choose to be happier than you ever thought was possible. All you require is the choice to pay for it. It’s as profound as it goes. Each one of us has the power to decide what happiness is worth to us and we want it to happen in our lives.
So, yes… you have to pay for every intense, full-hearted moment of happiness. But the currency isn’t always money—it’s love, time, resilience and the ability to let go of what no longer serves you. A decluttered mind is what makes it so extraordinary. Of course, letting go often feels like parting with pieces of ourselves. We love to cling to old pains because they feel familiar. But choosing happiness needs surrendering those weights, making space for something lighter. It allows you everything you need to harness beatitude. And living every moment of it is a reminder of the strength, effort, and heart you have poured into crafting it.
My take! I wouldn’t miss for nothing the silence on the street, the sunrise, the waking up of nature, hearing birds chirping in the morning and reliving the caress of the first rays of spring sun shine on my face. Or staying and lounging outside until late with family or friends on a sultry summer evening. You wouldn’t know how sparkling these simplest pleasures can be until they are your own.
After all a good life is only a collection of happy moments; closer and more meaningful than you imagine. There is no way to know how your life will play out in ten minutes, and hour, or a week. So value every living moment of happiness for this is what it is all about – a complete mindful attention and bliss surrounding you.
The Maverick#59: Inspiring and empowering, for the best is possible. 