Are you happy now?

The measure of a truly happy person is when he/she doesn't measure happiness.

We tend to compare ourselves with others. Most of the times we do when we see them happy. Yes, they may be happy but that doesn't mean they're happier than us. I believe that the term "Happier" should not exist, hence "happiest", too. Who could say that a person is happier than the other? We may be able to define what happiness is. Or we can enumerate the things/people that make us happy. But we can never compare our happiness with others. They may seem happy on the outside but inside, maybe there's a lot more or lot less.

Once you are happy, you are happy. Period. You need not to look at others for you to confirm your happiness. Because when you do, it means you're not happy at all. Being happy is equal to contentment. And contentment, in order to reach that point, you have to look at your inner self, not at other's inner self. Suppose you have a new gadget. (let me not name any) It was one of the goals you have set: to own a latest gizmo. And here it is on your hands. You have all your friends envious with what you have. You are now into exploring the techie thing. But when you log in on your social networking account, you see another friend with the same gadget. But, it has something which yours does not have. It's the same, except for that little discrepancy. However, what your friend has stirs something inside you. You also want to have that very same thing. Do not forget, you have set the goal of having that gadget you are currently using. So in effect, no matter how beautiful your friend's gadget is, you should not overlook the fact that you have already reached your target. YOU SHOULD BE HAPPY.

Am I hearing a defense mechanism? "I am happy. It's just that I think I should also have that one." Why? To be happier? And when you already have what your friend has, will you be so sure that you will not seek for something more beautiful? For sure, THERE WILL ALWAYS BE SOMETHING BETTER THAN WHAT YOU GOT RIGHT NOW. But it doesn't mean you must be less happy.

In order to be truly happy, you have to choose to be. You may reach a point in your life when things, people and situation tell you to breakdown, cry, self- pity. But when you tell to them you choose not to look on them, but on their positive side, you can be happy. Happiness is a choice and an outlook. It's when you focus on your contentment rather than the other's contentment. It's when you decide to be thankful with what you have rather than to ask for more because you don't have what others have. It's when you finally realize that you don't need to have what they have because at the end of the day, it doesn't count. But what counts is how you make the most out of the things you have right now and how cheerful your heart is because you can confidently tell others that, "I am happy. Period."

*I am not that pleased with the illustration I made but I am surely happy with the insights it gave me. :)