I know the secret to inner-peace.
I haven’t achieved inner-peace myself. But I do know the path to get there.
I came upon the path following a fight with someone I know. There was a big blow-up, a protracted argument. Names were called. Feelings were hurt. I went to sleep angry that night. And when I woke up the following morning, I opened up my email and wrote a long message, and pretty soon the words just started flowing out.
And it was at that point that I knew what the true meaning of happiness was. And it is this happiness that leads us all to inner peace.
The path to inner peace is through the pursuit of happiness.
It is so profoundly simple and yet complicated at the same time. The whole point of life is the pursuit of happiness. As individuals, we must all discover what makes us happy. And this is not always easy to come by. First of all, how do you define happiness? How do you know when you found happiness? And it isn’t possible to be happier?
It is a rather nebulous and arguable topic. But let me try to define it. In a very broad, all-encompassing sense, I believe that happiness is what justifies our existence. Our reason for living is what makes us happy. In another cliched phrase, it is our “purpose in life.” What makes us most happy is also what makes us most fulfilled, doing things that challenges our senses, but also brings us joy.
If you can discover your purpose in life, and then strive everyday to fulfill that purpose, then you are living a life with intention, with meaning, and with joy. Although it is important to note that this purpose has several divisions. There is a career, which is how you choose to earn a living and support yourself. There is also a hobby, or outside interests. I often find that people who are really happy have several interests, often things that have nothing to do with their professional lives. And of course there are relationships. This is how you choose to treat others, especially those who are closest to you. It is interesting that a lot of what constitutes your happiness is measured by your relationships with others. Even people we don’t know can bring us happiness. Haven’t you heard had kind words from a total stranger that made you feel good?
If you are able to focus on these three things with purpose and intention, and block out everything else, then you are leading a life that is pursuing happiness. Can you find a career path that is fulfilling and that challenges you everyday? Can you do activities or hobbies that bring you joy? Can you follow the Golden Rule, and do unto others as you would have done unto you?
Although happiness can be a rather nebulous concept, the achievement of inner peace is real. And it is powerful. And it may be hard to achieve, but at least you can put yourself on the right path, and hopefully everything else will just fall into place.
Smile with the rising sun
