Our natural state should be that of happiness.
But as we grow the spontaneous happiness of a child gets covered due to the social pressures that makes us believe that we can be happy only if we have this or that object, money, position etc.
This launches us into an unnatural struggle generating stress. We need to remove these misconceptions.
We need money to enrich outer life but it cannot ensure happiness which has to do more with inner causes. The more things we want the less happy we are likely to be.
Therefore one simple way is to limit our wants, lead a life of balance and moderation, and instead of spending time to acquire outer objects spend time to gain inner wealth of wisdom, peace, love by investing in spirituality, meditation, reading beautiful things, engaging in creative activities, new learning, staying busy with work, games, sports so that there is little time left to think of oneself and there is a constant supply of happiness hormones (endorphins) in our system.
A life of balance and harmony rather than extremes, healthy attitudes and good habits is the secret of happiness.
The paradox is that if one lives to be happy one is gets caught in a vicious cycle of pleasure and pain. On the other hand trying to progress and learn new things gives spontaneous happiness within.
Affectionately,
Alok da.
