Blog - November 30, 2019
Day 30: The November Happiness Challenge 2019
While there is no contention that happiness means differently to different people, you must permit me this chance to take you through what happiness entails from my own individual prism.
“Happiness is such a fickle thing”. I don’t know if this quote is attributable to someone already, but it rung in my head when I began to put this piece together. Therefore, I make bold to say that, happiness and the search for happiness is continuous, it never ends, at least not until after one’s last breath. Sounds confusing or pessimistic? Let me make an attempt at explaining. The happiness of yesterday might not get you through tomorrow. Life comes at us so fast and because of its innate unpredictability, today’s happiness might not serve as a bar to tomorrow’s unhappiness. So, a responsibility has now been created to satisfy today with its own happiness.
“Happiness is a continuous process”. With every breath we draw, we should be striving towards achieving it. In fact, I believe human life should be lived mainly in pursuit of happiness. Happiness must be the ultimate consideration in all that we do. Be it job, friendship, relationship, hobby etc.
“There is happiness in the simplest things”. To my mind, attributing happiness solely to those mammoth achievements and milestones is a deliberate invitation to unhappiness. While it is important to appreciate and celebrate the big wins, we must be careful not to limit our happiness to them. This means, we must be conscious never to limit our chances at happiness to such ‘great’ feats as, building your own house, buying da Benz, marrying the LOYL, finally achieving your dream body, a seven figure salary or dream job (if at all there is something as such). Brethren, learn to attach importance to the ‘little’ things and witness an upward increase in your chances at happiness.
“Traverse this world making happiness your business”. Let me get a little personal and let you in on the things that make me happy. I consider myself a family oriented person, so marriage has being a huge source of happiness for me. Doing life with the most amazing, positive, empathic human there is ensures happiness is readily at arm’s length. Fatherhood, which came with it, has equally made me joyous.
“Prayer is the key of the morning and the bolt of the evening – Mahatma Gandhi”. As a Muslim, prayer is a very important part of my daily life and completion of the 5 daily Salah, guarantees me happiness. I try not to joke with them.
“We spend long hours working, it is important that we find happiness in our jobs.” In my work life, not minding the long hours, and the pressure that comes with it, I prefer to focus on the positives. Remember happiness is the essence of life. But I must confess, reading through piles of documents, minding other peoples’ business, or sweating to find solution to problems which genesis you are oblivious to, or spending an entire day in the midst of contentious backs and forths, aren’t particularly so attractive. Lol.
“Your greatness is not what you have, but what you give.” Charity is an important key to happiness, and the smile you leave on the faces of others is your own happiness. Of course, not Bill and Melinda Gate level, but I try to be as charitable as I can afford. It guarantees me happiness.
“Identify those things that make you happy, and make a routine out of them”. Make a mental note of those things which make you happy, if possible make a list of them and pursue them with vigour. In the end, remember happiness is all that matters. I conclude by challenging you to make happiness the bedrock of your life; there is only one chance at life, you should make it a happy one.
Sunkanmi
This is the most amazing shit I have read all year, just like a magnificent tower, she lays the ground work while you finish is with your deft touch of poetry written in mermaid tears. If not for toxic masculinity, I should be crying this minute. 😭❤️
Tolani Busari
Awwwwwww
Toyeen
Note to self – Make happiness the bedrock of your life.
Dolapo
It’s been great reading different perspectives on happiness and what better way to cap it all off than this brilliant, final piece. Kudos to all involved 🙌🏾🙏🏾
Debs
This is such a great piece and an amazing way to cap the series. Definitely, happiness is continuous. I am so bookmarking this and I am grateful to God for your family. May you both continue to have all the bliss and happiness that comes in marriage.
Tolani Busari
Thanks so much Debs, You are such a breathe of fresh air!
Dolapo
It’s been great reading on happiness and what better way to cap it all off than this brilliant, final piece. Kudos to all!
Tolani Busari
Thanks so much bro
Abdulhammed
“Your greatness is not what you have, but what you give” Hmmm I like this quote and I’m also going to put in all I can to make happiness the bedrock of my life. Thanks The Law
Oluwatosin Orowale
One of the sweetest piece I’ve read all year. Aren’t I glad I did?
Note to self: be delibrate at finding happiness in the littlest things. I have got only one life and it should be a happy one.
Tolani Busari
I’m really glad you did. Thank you, Tosin❤️