The pursuit of happiness

What is happiness ? What constitutes happiness for one and not for another ?

No, this is not a review of the film starring Will Smith as Chris Gardner in "Th
e Pursuit of Happiness". Yes, it is looking at happiness through your and my eye
s.
What is happiness ? There is no one answer that is relevant to everyone. Happine
ss is relative to the individual. Happiness is a state of being where there is j
oy in the heart and smiles on the faces. But happiness comes in different forms
for different reasons.
A young child's happiness is mirrored when he receives the two-wheeler that he h
as been eyeing for the past year. He laughs himself hoarse in sheer happiness wh
en he meets his Disney characters in Disney Land.
Teenaged fans of Mawi, Rain, Awie, Siti Nurhaliza, Andy Lau, S.H.E are in ecstas
y when they are face to face with their pop idols. It is no different when the m
ature men and women rub shoulders with the likes of Jackie Chan, Angelina Jolie,
Jennifer Lopez, Brad Pitt, Reshmonu and Bollywood stars.
A student who scores As in his examination is in seventh heaven when he is given
that coveted scholarship to study overseas. However, a struggling student who i
s not academically inclined is deliriously happy when he passes well enough to b
e admitted into a university college. To add further to his happiness is when he
receives a scholarship to complete his studies locally. The straight A student
is disappointed when he does not get his first choice but the average student is
happy at even being considered for a bursary.
A poor man would be happy owning his first motorcycle that he has saved for year
s to pay off the loan. The homeless sighs with happiness at receiving keys to hi
s low cost one room house. The family whose house has been razed to the ground i
s so grateful for the financial aid from the government and non-governmental org
anizations to rebuild the house.
The unemployed would find happiness in securing a job for the first time. The jo
b offers him a promise of better things to come. However a highly paid employee
may find lots to grumble about -- the low pay, the slim chances of promotion and
an overbearing boss.
It is only when one has fallen to the bottommost pit that one appreciates the li
ttle opportunities that come one's way.
To some it takes so little to receive and give joy. To some others it takes much
to receive and give joy. In our pursuit of happiness, there are times when happ
iness can be so elusive. We have to work towards happiness and believe that happ
iness is our birthright. We all deserve to be happy.

ecstasy happiness, joy

bursary an amount of money given to a person by an organization, such as
a university, to pay for them to study

elusive difficult to attain