by Kalyani Kurup

Created on: December 10, 2008   Last Updated: January 13, 2009

Three people went to visit Taj Mahal, an exceptionally beautiful structure, built by an emperor in the memory of his beloved wife. It is an architectural marvel,' said the engineer among them. It is an immortal symbol of love,' said the poet among them. It is the blood and sacrifice of hundreds of artisans,' said the third.

All the three statements are true, because, beauty is, after all, in the eye of the beholder. This simple rule is one of the secrets of human happiness also. A man is, what he sees when he looks at himself. If he can see himself as a contended person, then he is definitely so, even if society has a different yardstick.

That does not mean that one can laze around and declare that idling is the secret of happiness. People have to have a goal in life. It may be moneymaking for some, social work for another, excelling in an art for a third. Whatever it be, an aim has to be there. Once the aim is clear, a person should put in place a plan on how to achieve it.

Based upon the plan, the main goal should be broken up into smaller achievable goals, in the given time frame. Measuring one's progress according to this chart and finally achieving what one wants, especially if one is able to achieve it earlier than one has anticipated, is something that will lead to immense happiness for most humans.

The entire process of working towards a goal is a most enriching experience. Satisfying work can also be its own reward, whether done for the achievement of a goal or not. And meaningful hope, and gratifying work, both have the potential to make people more creative, more productive, and are thereby conduits to happiness.

Next rule is that one should not sit on his laurels, however big or small the victory is. The sense of fulfillment, though it might make a person ecstatic, is ephemeral. To continue to be happy, one should set more goals either in the form of higher achievements, or by sharing with others, the benefit of what has been achieved.

To make happiness complete, a person should ensure that he does not manipulate happiness for himself at the cost of another's happiness.

The ability to love and be loved in return, are also rich founts of happiness. To love and be loved are mutually inclusive. The love that forms the secret of happiness need not be the most touted romantic love. People are able to derive utmost satisfaction from the love of/to parents, friends, siblings, nature, an art, a science or a cause.

Many are the secrets of happiness and if you are able to pursue even one, you have unlocked the key to it.

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