Happiness Is a Practice, Not a Constant State

Every human being tries to remain happy all the time. I do the same. I make a conscious effort to stay positive, yet there are moments when sadness quietly enters the mind. This does not mean we are weak—it simply means we are human. Life is a balance of emotions, and accepting this truth is the first step toward inner peace.
For me, happiness is not something extraordinary or grand. It exists in simple, meaningful moments. One of my greatest sources of joy is being close to nature. Spending time among trees and plants, caring for them, and watching them grow gives me a deep sense of calm. Nature does not judge, compete, or rush—it teaches patience, silence, and balance. Whenever my mind feels heavy, nature gently heals it.
Another powerful source of happiness in my life is helping others. I am not sharing this as a moral ideal or to sound virtuous. I truly try to ensure that there is no gap between my words and my actions. What I believe in, I try to live by. Even small acts of kindness have the power to bring immense peace to the heart.
I clearly remember an incident from my student days that shaped my understanding of happiness. At that time, I had only 150–200 rupees in my bank account, which I needed for basic necessities for the next two days. Around the same time, news of a devastating flood came from another part of the country. Without overthinking, I donated that entire amount to the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund. My bank account became empty, but my heart felt full.
The peace I experienced after that act is difficult to describe. That moment taught me a lifelong lesson—that true happiness comes not from what we accumulate, but from what we are able to give. Since then, inner peace has become my true goal in life, not material success alone.
Today, I firmly believe that happiness lies in simple living, staying connected with nature, helping others without expectations, and trying every day to be a better human being. We may not be happy all the time, but if we continue to move in the right direction with honesty and compassion, happiness will find its way back to us—again and again.