What does it truly take to be happy? Is it wealth, a grand home, or luxury cars? And even if you achieve all of that, can happiness be guaranteed? These questions challenge the core of how we perceive joy and contentment.
Happiness, for many, is tied to external factors. But there are individuals who bring their own sunshine wherever they go, regardless of external circumstances. The secret lies in training the mind to see the good in every situation—a profound yet overlooked skill. Let’s explore how to develop this attitude and the transformative impact it can have on our lives.
The Friday Phenomenon: Why We Tie Happiness to External Circumstances
In many cultures, the anticipation of specific days or events dictates emotions. For example, in the U.S., Fridays are celebrated with exuberance because the weekend is near. Yet, Mondays are dreaded, often earning the lament, “Oh God, it’s Monday.” Many people live for the weekends, dragging themselves through Mondays with heavy hearts. But here's the real question: Why limit our happiness to just a few days of the week? Why wait for external circumstances to align perfectly before allowing ourselves to feel joy?
Shifting Perspectives: Carrying the Weather Within
Imagine having the power to bring your own weather, your own sunshine, wherever you go. This mindset shift is not only liberating but also empowering. Consider the story of the little five-year-old girl selling pencils for five cents to build a thirty-million-dollar hospital. When questioned about the seemingly impossible goal, she cheerfully pointed to her friend across the street doing the same thing, excited about their shared mission. Her joy wasn't in the outcome but in the process itself.
This story illustrates that happiness is a choice. Whether you have everything or very little, your attitude determines your experience.
Choosing What You See
Swami Mukundananda shares a powerful story that illustrates how our perspective shapes our reality. In a hospital ICU, two patients shared a room. One bed was next to the only window. Every day for an hour, the patient by the window would describe beautiful scenes to his roommate – a garden with a fountain, playing children, waddling ducks, and occasional festive processions.
These vivid descriptions brought life and joy to both patients, offering escape from the sterile hospital environment. However, when the window-side patient passed away and his roommate finally got moved to the window bed, he discovered a shocking truth: the window faced nothing but a brick wall of another hospital wing.
The beauty his former roommate described wasn't in the external view – it came from within his own mind. He chose to see and share beauty, even when faced with a plain brick wall.
This anecdote underscores a profound truth: reality is shaped by perception. We can choose to see mud or stars, even from the same vantage point. By consciously seeking beauty and goodness, we can elevate our own thoughts and emotions.
The Strength of a Trained Mind
The mind is an incredible tool, capable of immense creativity and resilience. However, without proper training, it can also be a source of negativity and distress. To master our emotions and find consistent happiness, we must:
1 Practice Perspective Shifting Remember the English saying, "Two men looked out of prison bars; one saw mud, while the other saw stars." Same bars, different focus. Start small – find one positive aspect in challenging situations.
2 Release Control of External Circumstances Accept that you can't control everything and everyone around you. Instead of trying to change others, focus on managing your response to them.
3 Create Your Own Weather Don't wait for perfect conditions to be happy. Like the patient who created beautiful scenes from a brick wall view, learn to generate positivity from within.
4 Find Joy in the Process Like the little girl with her five-cent pencils, focus on the journey rather than fixating solely on the destination. There's joy in small progress and shared experiences.
5 Challenge Your Happiness Prerequisites Question your beliefs about what you need to be happy. Do you really need that bigger house or fancier car? Or could happiness be available right now, in this moment?
The Path Forward: Your Choice to Make
The world presents itself differently to each of us, not because it changes, but because we view it through the lens of our own choosing. Saints have seen divine presence in this very world, while others see only problems and limitations. While we might not all achieve saintly perception, we can certainly train ourselves to see more goodness, more opportunity, and more reasons for joy in our daily lives.
Remember, happiness isn't about having what you want, but wanting what you have. It's about training your mind to see the good in any situation – a skill that 99% of people don't realize they can develop. Think of happiness like a muscle – the more you exercise it, the stronger it becomes. Each time you choose to find something positive in a challenging situation, you're doing a "happiness rep." Over time, this creates a mental strength that helps you maintain joy regardless of external circumstances.
The next time you find yourself waiting for external circumstances to align perfectly, remember: you carry the power to create your own perfect weather. The choice to see mud or stars, to thank God it's Friday or to find joy in every day – it's always yours to make.
What will you choose to see today?
Call to Action
If you’re ready to start this journey of developing mental focus, check out Swamiji’s Staying Inspired and Motivated Everyday playlist on his YouTube Channel to deepen your understanding.
Resources
Train your MIND to See the Good in any Situation - 99% Don't Realize this | Swami Mukundananda
Mukundananda, S. (2020). The Science of Mind Management, Westland Publications: Chennai, India.