知足常乐。。。

Today I'm feeling a little philosophical. So.... I would like to touch on the topic of Happiness.

One of my best friends asked me the other day, I couldn't remember exactly what was the question... but it was something along the line of "What's my goal in life??" I replied without hesitating,"To be happy." She then again asked me,"So are you happy now?" I told her,"Well, kind of, am contented with the way things are at the moment, though it could be better." So well, I know, I am happy but not 100% contented yet. Contentment is like climbing up that never-ending flight of stairs now, I can never reach the top unless I find something which does complete my life. So yes, I say I'm happy but not 100%, just contented with things at the moment. I think that's good enough - for now. And then she said,"She will be when she feels more settled (more money, a stable job that she likes, not so much hardship) in life." It raised again a question, so she's not happy with life at the moment... I think sometimes happiness can't be derived from the environment itself, they do have a part in influencing, but at the end of the day, if you're on the receiving end and you're not contented, you wouldn't be happy. Am I right??! There are inevitable obstacles and things going wrong in life (whoever have a smooth sailing life, probably deserved it from their good karma in their past life, lol), so I still believe that, unless one finds contentment within themselves, they won't find the route to happiness. Poor people can still be happy!

Some people reckon having financial security is a form of happiness, while others are thanking God for the blessing of good health and longevity. I have seen others whose life and happiness revolves around being with their loved ones (it doesn't have to be a spouse, for all you know it could be the nan, parents or nephew/niece). There are also some who get them from work, how many of us are so lucky with a job they are passionate about and getting all that money they want... I hope, for most of us :)))