The Pursuit of Happyness

My mother, even my close friends often say that I'm an analytical person..too analytical for my own good. Professionally it has been an advantage for the nature of my job..but in a personal front, it can be exhausting.

I'm sure many would have watched the movie I borrowed the tille of this post from. It reflects on the extrodinary life of Chris Gardner who beats all the odds and curve balls life can throw his way and turns the misfortunes in his life into blessings.

Being the analytical person I am..I started thinking..Am I on the same 'pusuit' as well. I often say I want to be 'happy'. But how do I actually get there, when I don't know where or what 'there' actually is. What would make me happy. A high flying job, a meaningful relationship ( cant help but wonder as I turn 29 in a month and am single ), financial freedom, having kids, being a better friend, being physically fit, spirituality, charity..and the list goes on..

Then the questions hits me..can I manage it all..can I do it all..can I actually have my cake and eat it too..

And this morning...while driving to work...I had an epiphany...I always have one while driving.... I can have my cake and eat it too..but one bite at a time...I can pursue happyness...one aspect at a time...one phase at a time. "happyness' can have several definitions depending on where I am in my life, my circumstances and my emotional growth at that point.

So the pusuit of this week...have a fabulous mother's day brunch with my darling mum and my sister who has just become a mummy...Thats right Malinee..one step at a time.

Happy Mothers Day to all the Mum. God Blessed us all when he made Mummies

hi malinee...
good write up...happy mothers day! enjoy ur brunch with your mom and sis...it is true that if one is too analytical, life becomes like a tsunami trying to drown oneself without trace....we can have a cake, eat it too...one bite at a time or as a whole as long as we know how to make a cake everyday and keep enjoying it....pursuit of happiness in material things can become like peeling an onion...keep peeling keep peeling and there is nothing inside...but the very layers that we peeled out is what onion is all about...and not what we might find deep inside it....all the best with your pursuit....enjoy each layer that u peeled!

Welcome to IL Malinee.

I had to read your post (and reply to it) since the title was so attractive and is of one of my favorite movies. Loved the movie. Not to mention Will Smith's wonderful portrayal of the central character in the movie.

You have done ample justice to the nice title by writing nicely about happiness and closing your post with a person (Mom) that I know gives immense happiness to us.

I could not agree more with you that the definition of happiness changes with the changing phases of ones life. Some might say happiness is within you. Once you find this happiness that resides within you (which, as I understand, is a stupendous task), it is yours to keep for the rest of your life and it does not get impacted by anything around you. True, although I cannot claim to have experienced this supreme form of happiness.

However, I do believe in these lines - "Happiness is a state of mind and not a time in life". So here's wishing all of us to always be in this state of mind.

SS

Oh its exciting to see replies . Thanks Vidhya & SS.

Yes indeed, Will Smith was the initila pull factor to watch the movie and it was a worthy watch. And SS...you are right..it is a state of mind....

And i found just the right emoticon for showing what this serial thinker will do the next time she thinks too much .

Regards,
Malinee

hi malinee,

enjoyed your post...take one thing at atime and enjoy....happiness is just the state of mind...i am sure u enjoyed mothersday brunch with mom and sisiter...

mindi