Happiness in this temporary world: My point of view

SHARIF HELALI: Some might be happy with whatever wealth and property they have. The others, to the contrary, might be engrossed in amassing as much wealth as possible to seek happiness. The hoarding of wealth, and then more wealth, by any means, could fail to render them happiness of mind. As it so happens, it is imperative to think that with what their happiness and unhappiness should be measured. Besides, how much happiness does a man need or is there any ultimate limit of his happiness that is desired by him? or, if time and situation change or upgrade his demands or expectations, what happens then. A haphazard situation is created in maintaining a balance between the demands and the gains of life.

Here I am not telling you any story or traditional sayings about happiness. I just want to focus on a statement that we read in many books is ‘happiness lies in the contentment.’ But it is debatable that when a man will be content and feel happy. Generally, many men have many demands that give them happiness or flavour of happiness, they want them to be fulfilled. Moreover, the expectations of some people are beyond limit. They are always indulged in gaining more and more. In a sense, they are so greedy, they cannot suppress their demands.

On the other hand, some people do not run after wealth and money so greedily, they can restrain their demands and they feel that they are happy.

In my point of view, in this momentary worldly life, if anybody thinks of his unhappiness or worse position in which he is now, then, he should ponder over the ins and outs of every affair, relation, surroundings, position, capacity, wealth and property, fate etc. related to his life simultaneously and evaluate his position by sensibly comparing with other’s position. Keeping one’s mind in a narrow box or in only one position it is not at all wise or rational to judge his state without broadly contemplating or considering the main issue or issues.

It is not logical to take into account only one, two or five matters at a time and make a final assessment about his position, whether he is happy or not. By this way, if he thinks that he is unhappy, then, mental uneasiness and unhappiness of a man increase manifold. If it so happens, a man has to look into the reasons behind his unhappiness. Is there anything to do on his end? Is anyone else responsible for his unhappiness? If there is anything to do from his end, firstly he has to perform this and if anyone is responsible for ensuring his happiness, then he has to try to get that done by the responsible, but thinking positively and not putting pressure unreasonably. It is not judicious or wise to prove himself innocent bypassing the blame on others’ shoulders.

Moreover, it is important that for ensuring his happiness what mentality he cherishes, how much he thinks to compromise with others or how much compromise is to be needed and how much improvement of his present condition can be possible with all-out effort. All of these matters should be considered in case of judging himself happy or unhappy and accordingly decisions can be taken for his welfare. Otherwise, if decisions are taken only out of emotion or capriciousness or on the spur of the moment, they may not be, in most cases, right and they may boomerang on him. But we do not think likewise.

In the present world, we see that for being happy or gaining something to be happy level of competition, impatience, in many cases, indecency and cruelty among us transcend the limit. This is very sinister and quite undesirable. Even, in most cases, just because of seeking our worldly happiness family feuds, domestic violence, divorce, social unrest, mental and physical illnesses of us are increasing day by day and we are becoming ferocious for our self-interest, gains and overall happiness. Even, sometimes we can dare to kill others to reach our target. We forget that we have to die anytime any day leaving all of our wealth and property, our luxuries and the elements of our happiness. We are just crazily running after money and wealth for ensuring our happiness in this temporary world.

We can determine our limitations. We do not remember our fate. We forget the power of the almighty, the creator of us. We must remember that we are not immortal in this world. We do not know when my life is to come to an end. Therefore, our demands and expectations should be in line with our financial capacity, wealth and property. We must be free from greediness and expectation to lead a luxurious life without capacity. We should not be envious of others’ happiness. Our happiness should not be compared with others’ happiness. In most cases, mental happiness, happiness that comes from love and affection is real happiness comparing with happiness that comes from wealth, money and luxury. Being human beings though we naturally strive to lead a happy life, we should have belief in `what is lotted, can not be blotted’. We should be rational in choosing the standard, way and style of life. Then we may feel that we are happy. This is not a complex thing but many of us make a blunder without thinking in this way.

The writer is Senior Assistant Commissioner, Office of the Divisional Commissioner, Chattogram.