All
these time, I had only known that our life must be filled with happiness. The
ideal expectation from life of each individual is ‘happiness’. But recently I read
out an article mentioning about another aspect of life which is called “meaningful
life”. I want you to realize that there are two ways of living our lives, happy
life and/or meaningful life.
These
two are bit confusing and overlap. One might wonder both are same. But they aren't! There are subtle differences between happy life & meaning full
life. While writing down, I tried to explain the difference but its complex. So
I picked the points from the below link and have tried to summarize:-
Those
who don’t have enough time to go through that long article in link can refer
below summary :-
Happiness
is about having one's needs and desires fulfilled. It may be about small things
and/or big thing. You can be happy about finding a lost book, you can also be
happy that the India won cricket match. You can be happy about meeting your old
friend after a long gap. Happiness is largely rooted in the present and about
here and now.
Meaningfulness
is more complex. It is about the long term. Purpose is a very important component of a
meaningful life. Happiness is more short-lived. One can be happy in the morning
and sad in the evening. But meaningfulness is considered more lasting and
permanent.
Friends
and family play an important role in shaping a happy and meaningful life. At its heart is the fact that
happiness is positively related to one receiving benefits and being a taker.
Meaningfulness is about giving. This also means that helping others boosts the
meaningfulness of life but has little impact on happiness.
There
is a subtle difference in the way friends and family affects our lives.
According to the study, spending more time with friends is positively related
to happiness but not to the meaningfulness of life. Spending more time with
one's family is significant to the meaningful quotient but not so to the
happiness level.
Here's an example: taking care of children requires one to
downplay one's self and devote oneself to caring for them. For parents, the
more time they spend with children the more meaningful their lives are, but
this does not have much relation to happiness. If anything, it tends to reduce
happiness. It throws light on the parenthood paradox: most people want to be
happy and want to be parent but these two goals are often in conflict, says the
study.
In this modern era, where money has become
like breathing air, it is not difficult to earn sufficient money and lead a
happy life .We can all do that and that’s what we all are doing right now. We
are choosing happy life. We are not bothering for the meaning. Just being happy
is what has become important for us. But truth is happiness doesn't lasts for
long time. So choose for the meaningful life.
Again, the meaning of the ‘meaningful life’
varies from each & every individual and bit hard to figure out. But if you
give a deep thought on it, you can work it out to realize what makes your life meaningful.
Keep
in mind; Healthy people are happier than sick ones. But healthy and sick people
can have equally meaningful lives! Think about it and figure out the difference
between happy & meaningful life. So beware, it may so happen that you might
be happy with someone/something/some stuff but before committing/enjoying/using
just think, whether it makes life meaningful!
So
finally, December 21st is nearing and since past few years there
were lot of speculation from several mythology that, world is going to end
on this day. Honestly, I want it to happen but I don’t believe it will happen.
Anyways, we are all going to see 2013, a fresh New Year.
By
wishing you an advance happy new year 2013 I would suggest you to choose how
you want to live your life from 2013, happy life or meaningful life. Choice is
completely yours.
