Pursuit of Happiness

I happened to watch the movie, “Pursuit of Happiness”, yesterday on televison. A touching narrative of a salesman struggling to build a future for himself and his son (inspired by the true story about a man named Christopher Gardner). The tale shows how, sometimes, the choices we make in life twist and turn our aspirations and ambitions on its head and send us into a downward spiral of doom. It also depicts how some people just hold on and face all the trails and tribulations bravely in their pursuit of big dreams and ultimately, happiness…

Pursuit of Happiness, however, seems like an illusion to me. In my opinion, what makes a person happy is very subjective. In this materialistic world, we tend to find happiness in the material pleasures like a big house, a great job, hi-fi gadgets and so on. Hence, we notice that as and when our wishes are fulfilled, we are ready with a new list desires. The satisfaction seems to be missing and hence the happiness. The happiness that we feel when we get an increment or buy a new car is just acquisitiveness and therefore it vanishes the moment we set our eyes on bigger and better targets. Jealousy of others possessions and achievements is also a sign of lack of happiness within ourselves.

Aiming for worldly comforts is not wrong as it is required for a life at ease but happiness should not be pursued in these things. Instead, the happiness in being with our loved ones, watching our kids grow, being able to help the under privileged or making someone’s day is the true feeling which will last forever.