Everyone's happy.
Everyone's sad.
If I say that only one of the above statements is true,
Which one would you choose?
Given the current circumstances the world is in,
You might choose the latter.
If you're someone who chose the first one,
Thank you for your kindness.
We need more people like you.
Irrespective of what you have chosen,
You'd agree with me that it's a constant drive to move from a state of sadness to happiness.
This is what people seek and strive for.
And that is the journey called life.
Think about it.
Now,
If you're sad,
Then what makes you happy?
How do you achieve the state of happiness?
How do you move from the current moment of sadness?
Or the right question might be,
What makes you sad?
Because once you know that,
You can avoid or mitigate those things to lead a joyful life.
Let's dwell deeper.
If you observe carefully,
You might find it.
When were you last sad?
What happened?
Did you not manage to go on a trip you had been planning for so long?
Did you not attend a concert of your favorite star?
Did you not get to go to your favorite restaurant for a family dinner?
Did you not meet your favorite person this weekend?
Did you fail to crack a deal at work?
Did you not manage to buy something you really wanted?
Did you ask someone to do something for you,
But they didn't?
Did you expect a certain behavior from someone,
But they didn't reciprocate?
And the list goes on.
Have you noticed anything?
Do you see a common thread emerging?
Okay,
Let me break it for you.
It's our desires.
Yes.
Now go back and listen to them again.
Or simply think of the reasons you were sad.
You will come to one conclusion.
The genesis of your sadness,
Your misery,
Your suffering is your desire.
Your desire to go on a vacation.
Your desire to eat a certain cuisine.
Your desire to attend a concert.
Your desire to meet someone.
Your desire to get perfect results.
Your desire to own things.
Your desire for attention.
Your desire to be loved.
Now,
You can't disagree that the reason for your sadness is your desire.
And it's the same for me and everyone else.
We are all caught up in the trap of desires we created for ourselves.
So what's the solution?
How can we come out of this trap,
The trap of desire?
Easy.
Don't desire.
Sorry,
I didn't mean to make you furious.
Because I know it's easier said than done.
Or rather very difficult.
Especially when we are so deeply attached to our desires.
Some of you might argue that not every desire is bad.
And that some are good or justified.
You may say that expecting positive results from something you have worked hard on.
Or expecting love and kindness in return is justified.
I would like to agree with you,
But I can't.
I have learned this through my own experiences.
And many of you have as well.
Working hard for something is within your control.
Giving your 100% is what you can do.
But what you don't control is the outcome.
The result of your effort.
Being satisfied with your best effort is the secret to a content and happy life.
It's the way to a blissful life.
If you perform an act of kindness,
It fills you with goodness and happiness.
But receiving a thank you in return is not in your control,
Is it?
What matters is feeling grateful that you could become the instrument of kindness.
And also expressing gratitude when you are on the receiving end.
In both cases,
You are the one expressing kindness or acknowledging gratitude.
Our actions are and should be independent of what others expect from us or how they behave.
I understand that it can be difficult to bring this mindset into everyday life.
But practice makes a person perfect,
Doesn't it?
So the ball is in your court.
Practice limiting your desires.
Practice reducing your desires.
Practice controlling your desires.
Practice eliminating your desires.
Remember,
A happy you sees a happy world.
Thank you.
