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Self-Realization (The Secret of Happiness)



"Self-Realization is the first encounter with Reality."

A simple but true statement. We spend years on this earth, lost and burdened with a load of aspirations and dreams. But for there comes a time in everyone's life when the realization struck like lightning and the entire life turns upside down. We realize that we've been chasing the wrong goals throughout our lives. Most of us spend our entire lifetimes chasing wealth, power, and materialistic joys of life and believing that achieving those goals would fill our lives with happiness. Little do we know that if happiness could be bought every rich man would be happy and poor would not be sleeping at night. However, we all know that is not true. But for the lucky ones who get a taste of this self-realization, a chance of turning around their lives presents itself.  

I happened to have a similar experience. I was sitting in a restaurant with some of my friends, when suddenly in the middle of the conversation it struck me. I just went into a deep slumber like state. It was like my body remained in the restaurant with my friends and my spirit just took off from there. I had a realization that almost all of us, no matter where we are in life, and no matter how much we have achieved, we always want to live someone else's life. And then the struggle starts, we put all our energy into fulfilling that dream. We see someone riding his bike to the mountains of Laddakh and want that life, forgetting that a little ride through the mountains makes us sick. Ever saw a wildlife photographer and wondered if we could be in their place, without realizing that a small shriek in the woods creeps the life out of you. And on top of that never knowing about the comfy and rich lifestyle these people have left behind to chase their dreams. Would you have the courage to do that?    

But we still strive for that life. However, once we have it, we are again unhappy and once again want someone else's life, and the cycle keeps repeating itself. And we never find happiness. We forget that every life is beautiful and bestowed with joys and sorrows; everyone has to bear their own share of sorrows. Life can never be an endless road of happiness. How boring that would be. We just see that rewards and happiness of others' lives, but always choose to ignore the struggles and sorrows that come along with it.

Most of the time instead of preserving the happiness that exists in our lives, we are trying to emulate or someone else's life to gain the happiness that is visible to us. We forget that a change in the environment cannot bring in a lifetime of happiness. Happiness comes from within and is channelized by the people around us.  While listening to the conversation between my friends and observing them I realized that this feeling or emotion comes in everyone's life, and I also realized the importance of preserving the happiness around you, to keep the keep the people, who make us happy, close to us, and be grateful for their presence in our lives. The reasons for happiness may differ for everyone but the meaning of happiness remains the same. Happiness comes from people and not wealth. And everyone is destined to get his/her share of happiness and sorrow. 

We should always remember that "Our lives are someone's dream; so we should never be grateful." Accept what is given to you with an open heart and find your happiness in the people around you.

Now that this realization has struck, it is to be seen that for how long it sticks with me. I hope it is forever, but let's see what the next tension brings along..... :-)
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