What is Happiness? If I read the face of an infant “Maybe his mother”; If I ask this question to a 3 year old, the answer maybe “A chocolate”; To a 10 year old “Maybe a lovely attire”; To a teenager “Maybe an outing with friends”; To a 20 year youth “Maybe a good placement”; To a 30 year old “Maybe a good life partner”; To a 40 year old “Maybe a good vacation”; To a 50 year old “Maybe a lovely wedding for his kids”; To a 60 year old “Maybe time with his grandchildren”.
The human life starts looking for happiness in the form of other human life (mother) in the beginning and slowly moves in the direction of a materialistic life but then ends looking for the same happiness in another human life (grandchildren). When our lives start with human emotions, love and affection and longs for the same at the end, what is that phase in between where we look for materialistic life? Is that a real life or is it just a chase for a life?
I still remember the conversations in school about “TV shows such as Giant Robot, Tom and Jerry, Jungle book and so on”. Did we talk about the choice of brands of clothes, the choice of toys, the choice of vacations etc? Maybe very little. But today even Kindergarteners seem to talk about the range of cars their dad has, the choice of clothes they buy etc? Parents feel proud of that. Is this something we could boast of? I just feel this is the sad reality today and nothing to feel proud of.
The current trend appears to be a chase for a life competing with others in this materialistic world. We all hear and read that “We don’t bring anything while we come and we do not take anything while we go, then why do we chase for worldly things when we live?” But in reality how many of us really follow this? Is happiness all about earning high salaries, living in a palatial house, owning a luxury car, fine dine and so on? If yes, then why do we hear of famous celebrities having all this committing suicide? Why do we hear of stress, depression, anxiety and so on even from the richest of the rich?
At a particular point in time, getting a job seems to be our aim; Then follows our aim to get paid well; Then follows our aim to have the choicest living; In between, yes we as humans tend to chase power too. This goes never ending. In no time we reach 50s to turn back and see we haven’t really lived even a basic life running in this competition. Then comes the phase where we start looking for human relations. The same kid whom you boasted of to have been a fussy kid who wanted only a specific brand of pencil to clothes to car seem to just overlook upon you because you are not a branded parent anymore. Or maybe he is busy chasing his dreams of having his branded life and fails to notice you.
My mom always tells me that “Comparison is the first mistake that will lead your life to miseries“. Yes it is indeed true. The point in life when you start comparing yourself with your siblings, friends, colleagues etc is going to create nothing but stress. Be it a job, salary, vehicle, house, property or even the kids intelligence. This is a sad reality in today’s world that people compare themselves with others in the society and want to live as others do. Is this going to bring happiness? What seems suitable for one may not be suitable for the other always. We only end our life brooding over what we don’t have rather than living the lovely moment we have.
Another biggest challenge today is “Prestige or status”. People do not like to be called “Middle class”. Is being a Middle class a sin? I have heard some women say “I don’t want to wear the same saree a second time for a party. So whenever there is a party I need a complete new set of clothes and jewels and I don’t mind spending 25000 for that”. Some say “I haven’t gone by a local bus anytime in my life. How do people travel by the local transport?”. Some are even worst and say “My mother’s house is not so big. I just can’t stay there for more than a day!” This is heights of showing off. Do people tend to even give up on their moms for the sake of status and prestige?? People want to maintain the status in the society a big time. Some even fake upon their status. They feel they will be looked down if they don’t do this. 
I have even heard parents saying proudly “My son/daughter is extraordinary. I don’t want them to be dressed just like any other kid. I will make sure that I will give him only the best of everything“. Are you sure he is happy? Are you sure you can provide him the best throughout his life? This is the start of making him a coward. Such a kid would be unable to face failures in life. The first failure would seem to be the end of the world for him. Whereas the kid who has seen all phases of life would know to walk upon the thorns in his path. Teaching your kids your culture, family values and all situation of life is important. Above all, it is even important to teach your child that it’s not the money that brings in all happiness but the satisfaction in life that will make him happy.
Teach them to be independent. Teach them to enjoy the little thing they do on their own. Teach them to build their own lives. Teach them to compete with themselves and get better day by day and not chase others. Do not pass the attitude of comparison. Of course, all children are born with clean minds and we are the ones polluting them. Let them know the joy of rejoicing in contentment and satisfaction. A contented life is the most happiest life, of course! Choice is yours.. comparing and chasing other’s life or living Your own life 🙂