| I take my daughter for golf lessons, guitar lessons, | | | | accomplishments, they surely add to the happiness |
| painting lessons, mandarin lessons, yoga and ballet. She | | | | quotient, but they are not necessarily the be all and |
| is taught reading writing and social interaction in her | | | | end all. By all means aim at achieving all that your heart |
| school, but no one teaches her about happiness . We | | | | desires, it brings one step closer to the higher need- |
| all have grown up wanting happiness, but mistaking it to | | | | that of self actualization. According to Maslow's theory |
| be something that can be found on the outside, | | | | of hierarchy of needs, one does need to fulfill his/her |
| through status, money, relationships, children and so on. | | | | basic desires/needs in order to progress to a higher |
| We are constantly looking for the next high, the next | | | | plain, but always remember that true happiness lies |
| pleasure. Many of my friends have achieved a lot in | | | | only on the inside. |
| their financial and professional status, but when I asked | | | | We all owe it to the new generation to teach them the |
| them the simple question " Are you happy"? 80% of | | | | basics and the meaning of true happiness which is |
| them could not answer me and went on to explain | | | | generally the happiness that comes having led a |
| happiness and justifying its presence or lack. Such a | | | | fulfilling, spiritual, helpful life. Teach your children the |
| simple question and it came across as such a | | | | meaning of true happiness, happiness in being kind, |
| complicated one. What is it that we all want? All our | | | | being loving, being gentle and yet achieving what they |
| pursuits are in search of happiness. | | | | would like to in the material world. |
| The societal pillars of happiness are health, wealth, | | | | I read the following on the net: |
| power and relationships. We look for all four for a | | | | YOU ARE WHAT YOU REPEATEDLY DO |
| balanced stool of happiness. If one of them is missing | | | | First you make your habits, and then your habits make |
| we claim to be unhappy or dissatisfied. We are all | | | | you. |
| trying to fit in on the outside and in the bargain short | | | | You become a slave to your constantly repeated |
| changing ourselves on the inside.The so stated | | | | acts. |
| conventional recipes of happiness have more often | | | | What at first you chose, at last compels. |
| than not, been proven hollow. We always think that the | | | | Your thoughts lead you to a purpose. |
| other person with more money, status, the beautiful | | | | Your purpose moves you to take action. |
| lover, a wonderful home, gorgeous children is happier | | | | Your actions form your habits. |
| than us and there is always something or someone | | | | Your habits determine your character,and your |
| better than us. | | | | character fixes your destiny. |
| Just the other day, my husband and I were discussing | | | | Your habits are either the best of servantsor the |
| our house. I said to him, "you know, we should have | | | | worst of masters. |
| bought the house opposite us instead of the one we | | | | Once in motion, a pattern tends to stay in motion. |
| did as that one has unobstructed sea view." We were | | | | So make it a point to teach your children the right |
| just bantering and talking about our property | | | | habits, they are after all your future. Most of us derive |
| investment when suddenly my 5 year old daughter | | | | vicarious pleasure via them in any case so let them be |
| came out with the statement, " mummy, daddy, the | | | | your ticket to happiness by sowing the seeds of |
| grass is not always greener on the other side." Both of | | | | happiness. |
| us were immediately silenced. She went on to explain, | | | | As Jack Canfield puts it, |
| how her teacher Mr. Mead had told them that the | | | | "If asked, could you name the five wealthiest people in |
| grass that looks shiny from far is not so shiny when | | | | the world, or five people who have won the Nobel |
| you go near." | | | | Prize, or the last five Academy Award winners for |
| This was such a reality check for me. Here I go about | | | | best actor and actress? The point is, none of us |
| teaching people how to be happy and find the | | | | remember the headliners of yesterday. When the |
| happiness within and yet I am looking for it outside, in | | | | applause dies, the awards tarnish, and achievements |
| the physical accoutrements, my child's achievements | | | | are forgotten; no one cares about who won which |
| and the size of my diamonds. It is all so easy for me | | | | award. But if I asked you to list five teachers or |
| to preach, but when it comes to my own self I get | | | | mentors who believed in you and encouraged you, five |
| bogged down by the same societal expectations and | | | | friends who have helped you through a difficult time, |
| norms.However, I am now making a conscious effort | | | | five people who have taught you something |
| to seek that inner peace and happiness. | | | | worthwhile, or five people who have made you feel |
| Ever stop to think what your definition of happiness is? | | | | appreciated and special - that's much easier to do, isn't |
| It invariably depends on factors outside of yourself...let's | | | | it? That's because the people who make a difference |
| see... a successful career, a mils and boon or a | | | | in your life aren't the ones with the most credentials, |
| penthouse centerfold partner, an over achieving child, | | | | the most money, or the most awards. They're the |
| money in the bank, fancy cars, beautiful house...maybe | | | | ones who care." |
| one in each continent,....the list would be endless. These | | | | Go ahead, teach your children to make a difference in |
| are however all pleasures and do not count towards | | | | some one's life. It will be a sure ticket to happiness. |
| real happiness. | | | | Luv/luck/happiness. |
| In no way am I discounting these extraneous | | | | |