Sharing happiness

Remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Try to make sense of what you see and wonder about what makes the universe exist. Be curious. And however difficult life may seem, there’s always something you can do,” said Stephen Hawking, the 76-year old astrophysicist, who defied motor neuron disease and died recently. Reflecting on UN’s “share happiness” theme to celebrate “International Day of Happiness”, today, Hawking’s words are worth reflecting upon.

Hawking’s relentless search for the “Ultimate” is amazing. Each one of us constantly strives for some “Ultimate”— not necessarily some Absolute or God, but anything that makes life meaningful. A baby might desire to be cuddled by mom, an actress might yearn for a boxoffice hit, someone on death-bed might long to prolong his life, and a seeker might pray for a darshan of God. Each of these is, in a way, an Ultimate that keeps one looking up and moving on. Accomplishing such goals is good; but life offers much more.

Do you realise how precious you are and how much you have? Count your innumerable blessings and be happy, be grateful. Many people lack even the basic necessities of life and yet are happy and grateful.

Genuine seekers never rest content with their own happiness but do little things to make this world a happier place. Your little difficulty is but a speck of dust in the immense landscape of life laid out by a Great God who created you to be happy. So, look in the mirror. Smile. Whisper the pledge proposed by the UN for this International Day of Happiness: “I will try to create more happiness in the world around me.” Don’t worry, be happy!