Your Happiness

Most writers define happiness as a state of well-being characterised by emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy.

We wake up every day with the world on our shoulders, hoping for a better day, if not a happy life. But what is happiness? Are you happy? Are you happy in the city you are living in? These are questions I ask myself whenever I feel things are not going well or maybe on a day when I have a lot to think about.

This may be some questions you might also be asking yourself. Did you know that countries like Bhutan, France and Dubai have a ministry that set a mandate on the happiness of their people? I am not asking Namibia or any other country to do the same, but I believe happiness is a boost to a good life, be it in your personal or work life. We all need the treatment of contentment.

Being happy is a wonderful experience, emotionally and mentally, and it makes sense that we would want to create more of that in our lives. Aristotle once said: “Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and the end of human existence”. It is a sentiment that still continues today.

We mostly base our happiness on certain things or people in order for us to be happy, but is that working? Would you want someone to base their happiness on you? Your happiness relying on someone requires more than just waking up and living your life.

You’ll have in the back of your mind that ‘what if’ question, meaning that everything you want should be second to the one you based your happiness on.

Have you ever wondered where or how you get your happiness? They say it’s the little things in life that matter the most, a strong phrase that has kept most of us stuck on self-happiness because every little thing I believe will bring me happiness.

Take what they say about money not buying happiness. It’s very true! But then again, it can buy you all the things that would make you happy. It’s all about what makes you happy.

Some researchers have hypothesised that feeling happier and more positive leads to greater participation in healthier activities including exercise, eating healthy, socialising and good sleeping habits.

Happiness is what you believe will create a feeling that will last forever. In all this, you are not responsible for anyone else’s happiness but your own. If you can’t find a solution, just be happy anyway.

Martha Ndateelela Iifo is a learning and development officer in the Ministry of Finance who spends most of her free time reading and writing.

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