So whichever door you choose (red, blue or green), the message worded slightly differently each time essentially suggests that the power to being happy lies in how we process life around us. How we see, is how we will be. Why such a 'heavy' card for New Year, you might wonder.
The reason is simple: It is perhaps evident to you that we live in an age of consumption, acquisition and wealth creation. All very well, but it also seems as evident (if you care to look below the glitz of things) that nobody seems to be really, truly happy. So while there appears to be an abundance of material wealth creation, there doesn't seem to be a directly related (and expected) result of becoming happy and staying happy.
Then again, in recognition of this gaping void in happiness amidst abundance, there are mushrooming around us, spiritual and self- development centres that hold promise of seeing you more complete and yes, happier.
All very well, but our intention is to also support your journey inward in small ways, by creating interactions on online and offline to add a dash of introspection in our lives, just as we eye the next gadget to buy in a swanky new shopping mall.
So do share with us your own views on happiness and what you think it takes to get there and stay there.
the big things in life come and go....its the small things which are sources of happiness...just like the little drops that go to make the ocean.
ReplyDelete@Jyostna: Exactly, its about the small things that add flavor to life and leave their lingering memories...most often, life goes by without us realizing the joys that small things can bring while we expectantly wait for the 'big celebrations'.
ReplyDeleteMost ephemeral devil this, happiness. It's very elusiveness and slippery nature makes me feel sad. It's like watching your two year old son growing up, remembering at every glance that this moment won't ever come again. Which is why Shelley said: Our sweetest songs come from our saddest thoughts. Sweet is good and happy, right? We cannot ever be truly happy because we cannot ever hold the 'moment' more than its ordained time. Is that just me though, I don't know...
ReplyDeleteAn interesting TED talk I came across by Pastor Rick Warren, author of The Purpose-Driven Life:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/rick_warren_on_a_life_of_purpose.html
@Vispy: I agree with your view that when a certain moment brings you happiness (or joy) and that moment inevitably passes, happiness also seems to evaporate with it.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I am also wondering if there is a state of happiness that can be sighted- beyond the type that is linked to a particular event in time and which continues as an underlying state of mind or attitude. In this case, happiness then does not become dependent on a specific outcome or situation but transforms the very manner in which we view things. Because on thing is certain: that no moment is ever going to come back again and that time here is finite. If we can somehow learn to imbibe a "happy view" into our world view, then we are happy.
How does one do that Suraj?
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ReplyDelete@Supriya: Thank you for the wishes Supriya :) Look forward to having you participate on the Placebo network offering now and in the New Year!
ReplyDelete@Vispy: I wish I knew how one could have an underlying happy theme irrespective of outcomes on the outside Vispy but I do know that it is possible to be somewhat detached from micro outcomes and try to see the bugger picture and meaning in our lives. Even if forget to sustain that feeling from time to time, it just takes some moments of centering to reach that vibe or rhythm of inner happiness once again. This quality of happiness is then, not dependent on how much money we made last year; which care we drive; or what our competition is doing...there's this song inside that keeps us to our own rhythm... don;t know if that really tells you "how's it done", but our aim at Placebo is to at least get people to start thinking about "what makes it work for them"....it's a begiining- not sure how or where it will take us...we plan to release a slew of interactive products in the space and see what happens...
ReplyDeleteI believe that expectations are the source of unhappiness, while happiness springs from acceptance.
ReplyDeleteWe tend to operate under the illusion that we are in control of our lives and destinies, and it can be devastating when life shatters that illusion, which it does all too often.
Maybe if we could resign ourselves to the fact that life is meant to be experienced at face value and just go with the flow, then we'd all be a little happier.
But that's always a challengeisn't it? :)
Placebo certainly has made me think of what is important and what is not important in life. It truly is a though provoking, self realization experience. Thanks for making it happen.
ReplyDelete@Raveen: I agree with your views Raveen and would like to add my view to it :)
ReplyDeleteAcceptance and happiness go hand in hand. In fact, happiness seems to descend on those who have made peace (or accepted fully) what life has given (or is giving) them.
But the trouble is that acceptance is often not conducive to a state of permanence. What happens is that our acceptance fades over time or new happenings challenge that "equilibrium of acceptance" and so more e find ourselves back on the band wagon of finding that precarious balance between acceptance and expectations. Which, in turn, impact our happiness quotient.
And yes, it is a challenge to 'go with the flow' and hope that it leaves us on the bank of happiness and not expectations :)