AS PER World Happiness Report 2025, released on March 20, 2025, India was ranked 118th out of 147 countries evaluated globally. Isn’t it startling & unpleasant? There is no doubt in it that happiness is an aspiration of every human being, and it can also be a measure of social progress. The search for happiness is said to be as old as mankind. However, most of us tend to look outside for happiness, feeling that it must be lying somewhere else since we are not experiencing it within ourselves. But,the fact is that happiness is actually an innate quality of the soul and hence each one of us should be experiencing it all the time. But most of us do not. Right ? Why is that so ? Simply because we are more focused on the external aspects of our life – our body, roles, responsibilities, possessions etc., as a result of which we lose our connection with this inner resource of happiness.

 

When our focus is external, we also tend to blame other people and situations for our unhappiness. We think that if the people or circumstances that make us unhappy go away, we will be happy. In doing so, we forget that whether to be happy or not is a matter of our choice. People or situations cannot alter the state of my mind unless I allow them to. So,if I decide to be happy come what may, I can be so all the time. Remember ! How we feel in any situation is decided not by the situation but by how we choose to respond to it. So, if things are going my way, I will certainly have no reason to be cross. But if they are not, I need not get upset about it. Because, I can see what I can do about it and get things done differently the next time. And even if there is nothing I can do about it, I can learn from the experience and move on.

 

Doesn't it sound simple? Then why do we get disappointed and irritated under such situations? Does getting angry or disappointed really help ? NO! It only takes away our happiness and reduces our ability to deal with the situation. That is why one must remember this forever that ‘Happiness is my property, why should I allow any person or situation to rob me of it?’ Having faith in the intrinsic goodness of every human soul, and the understanding that everyone is playing his or her role in this world, also helps us accept all kinds of situations and appreciate different types of people. It saves us from being judgmental, which can make our attitude towards others very negative and damage our relationships. The biggest secret to happiness is to have good wishes and pure feelings in our heart for everyone, no matter who they are, whether friends or foes, and even if they have defamed us in the worst way. When we hold pure, good wishes in the heart for others, we can maintain a state of constant happiness. Because, good feelings are like a bouquet of flowers in our heart that spreads its fragrance inside and keeps us happy, no matter how bad the situation outside is.

 

We need to go within ourselves to tap the eternal source of happiness and for that firstly we need to be true to the self,know the self and be the self. Once we have understood the happiness that comes from within and as a result of the manner in which we conduct our lives, and ourselves then it is possible to understand how to share that happiness with others. True happiness never isolates us; instead, it expands our capacity to love, empathise and uplift others. When we begin to help others find joy, our own joy deepens, because giving happiness transforms it into a shared experience rather than a solitary feeling. Remember! increasing the happiness of others brings happiness to the self. So, keep distributing it to everyone, as this is the wealth that multiplies by giving, and brings the giver the added bonus of the good wishes and blessings of others. Happiness, when shared, creates a ripple effect that strengthens families, friendships, communities, and ultimately the entire society,turning individual well being into collective prosperity. As more hearts connect through joy, the dream of a truly happy nation moves closer to reality. So, what are you waiting for? let’s get on happiness train and reach our destination of “No 1-Happy Nation”. ■