This article was originally published in https://99reallifestories.com
After years of hard work and dedicated service to his Company, Josh was being appointed at an elegant reception as the new Director. It was a small function where his wife Claire and wives of other Executives in the company were also invited. It was indeed a proud moment for both Josh and Claire.
In an adjacent room, Ann, the wife of the Company’s CEO asked Claire a very odd & usual question – “Does your husband make you happy?”
Josh, at that moment was not by her side, but was sufficiently near to hear this unusual question. He was now curious to know what Claire would answer. So he paid attention to their conversation, sitting up slightly, feeling secure, even filling his chest lightly in pride and hope. Definitely, Claire would not publicly degrade her husband and would answer affirmatively. After all, she had always been there for him during their marriage and generally in life.
Nevertheless, to both his & the others’ surprise, Claire replied – “No, he doesn’t make me happy…”
The room became uncomfortably silent. There was a sudden coldness in the air. Josh was petrified and couldn’t believe what he had just heard. A frown appeared on his face. He couldn’t believe what his wife said, especially at such an important occasion for him.
Claire sat up firmly & continued to explain in a modest but stern tone to the others who were present – “No, he doesn’t make me happy… I AM HAPPY. The fact that I am happy or not doesn’t depend on him, but on me.” and she added, “GOD has granted each of us intellect & discretion to reason, interpret & decide. GOD made me the person upon which my happiness depends. I make the choice to be happy in each situation & in each moment of my life. If my happiness were to depend on other people, on other things or circumstances on the face of this earth, I would be in serious trouble!”
“Over my life I have learned a couple of things: I decide to be happy & the rest is a matter of ‘experiences or circumstances’ like helping, understanding, accepting, listening, consoling. And with my spouse, I have lived & practiced this many times.
Honestly true happiness lies in being content”
Josh finally felt relieved & reassured at Claire’s answer and everybody else in the room were simply stuck in awe of Claire’s answer… or rather her way of being in pursuit of happiness.
There are those who say I cannot be happy:
· Because I am sick.
· Because I have no money.
· Because it’s too cold.
· Because they insulted me.
· Because someone stopped loving me.
· Because someone didn’t appreciate me.
But often we fail to understand that we can choose to be happy in the above circumstances too. The journey of being in pursuit of happiness is not in looking for an end result, but the journey itself. If you are happy in this journey, you are already in pursuit of happiness. And that happiness depends on you. That happiness is you.
