by Nayab Naseer

Created on: February 16, 2009

The key to human well being lies in being happy. World over, individuals spend billions and billions of dollars, running after spiritual gurus, material objects, positions, recognitions and relationships to acquire that elusive happiness.

However, happiness need not be costly if one knows where to look for it.

CONDITIONING THE MIND

Contentment

People tend to reflect sorrow, be miserable, and discontent when they fails to obtain something their heart desires. This is human nature. However, George Bernard Shaw, the great English writer said, "There are two great tragedies in life. One is not to get your hearts desire. The other is to get it." You might covet a thing that might actually be bad for you and you might dislike a thing that is actually good for you. Everything that befalls you has a bright side, and the key to happiness is to find the advantage or the positive side of whatever befalls you.

If you are unhappy because you do not have power or position, you should remember that with great power comes great responsibility. If you are unhappy if you do not have more wealth, you should understand that with wealth greater than your need, you will be preoccupied with safeguarding that wealth, and as it is the natural human tendency, preoccupied with doubling it.

Gratitude

You might have many deficiencies, you might be wanting in many material and spiritual possessions, and you might have suffered severe setbacks. However, there will be always people who are worse off than you are, and you will easily find this out if you look around you closely enough.

In the 1500's John Bradford was locked up in chains by the queen of England for no apparent fault of his. Looking out of the tower window, he watched someone being executed and said "But for the grace of God there goes John Bradford." Since you are reading this, chances are 99% of humanity is less fortunate than you are. Just to give an instance, 13,750 children die every singe day in the continent of Africa because their parents cannot afford to give them one single meal a month! Search the Internet to convince yourself of this fact; compare that with your present condition, and you will naturally say, "There, but for the grace of God, go I."

The key on which happiness thus rests is contentment and gratitude.

Helping others

Contentment and gratitude also comes with helping others, especially those in need. Consider whatever you have acquired, be it your material possessions, your power, your position or your health as

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