How Do You Define Happiness?
RECENTLY, a video went viral on the internet. It shows the Philippines' Popstar Royalty, Sarah Geronimo, breaking down on her US tour. She was crying while sharing about her inner struggles. She felt incomplete and shared that she doesn't know what her purpose really is. That despite her fame of success, she felt something was lacking and she couldn't point out what it was. She even struggled singing a few songs because she was too emotional. That video sparked the attention of netizens and many gave their two cents about the matter, both normal people and famous celebrities.
Vice Ganda, a famous comedian, was one of the celebrities who commented on the said topic. He even related his own struggles about going through depression despite being a blockbuster star. Other celebrities shared that while many people thought of their lives as luxurious and comfortable, it was actually a hard life to live. They had to protect their image and make sure that the people wouldn't dislike their actions. They were caged and some of them felt suffocated. That was the price they had to pay for their successful career. Is it all worth it?
This issue made me ponder on the real definition of happiness. How would you know if you're happy? I mean, truly and genuinely happy. Can money and fame really make someone happy despite its consequences? Does being rich and famous automatically makes you a happy person? Then why are these celebrities felt incomplete? I think it is important that whatever you do, you have to make sure that you're really passionate to do it and not just because you were forced it. Don't let people sway your plans and make them decide for what they think is good for you. It's your life and you have the right to navigate it according to your will, most especially if you are an adult.
It is useless to have a successful career if you're not happy about it. As selfish as it may sound like, but you have to prioritize your happiness at some point. I believe happiness means being very passionate about the things that you do. Happiness means you become more eager on each day to improve yourself and to achieve your dreams. Happiness means you look at yourself in the mirror and you're loving the person that you're looking at. Happiness is when you always look forward for new possibilities. That is how I define genuine happiness. You can be happy but not genuinely happy. Yes, I do think that is possible.
To everyone who's reading this right now, I hope you are genuinely happy with your life and your decisions. If not, I hope someday you'd be. But you have to remember that it all depends on you. You have to work for your happiness. Don't be afraid to take risks and follow what's in your heart.
Four months ago I wrote an article about this very topic, I titled it "When success doesn't feel like success". People are being programmed to believe that there are certain means to reach happiness. Every society has a certain definition of what happiness is and how to reach it. People naively suppose that someone is happy once he attains the requirements of happiness defined by their society.
As you have mentioned happiness means being very passionate about what you are doing, in other terms every one shall start be define how he personally would be happy and what are the means of happiness that working most of him.
For authentic happiness each one must find his own answers.
Of course, it depends on each one of us, being happy, I will start by saying that we should take care of our hearts not to contaminate things that are not spiritually healthy, you trust in God and, as much as you have problems, it becomes strong because God gives you supports and He is by your side, happiness is that you commit to get it without hurting anyone and that your honesty is always your strong, not only to meet your goals or have a lot of money, there are people who have everything, but are not happy, that is why money does not make happiness, happiness is inside you and it is in you not to let anyone take it from you.