Happiness: The New Buzzword
"My definition of happiness is accepting and acknowledging what one has and being content with that. There is a misconception that happiness means being not sad or angry etc. It means being happy in presence of all of these things. So sustained happiness is important," said Raj Nayak, Founder, Happiness.me.
Nayak was speaking at 'The Festival Of Wellbeing', presented by BW Wellbeing World in association with BW Businessworld.
Moderated by Dr Annurag Batra, Chairman and Editor-in-Chief, BW Businessworld & Founder Exchange4Media, the panel included other dignitaries who were very accomplished in their respective fields under the large umbrella of wellbeing.
In the beginning of the discussion Dr Batra asked each panelist what their definition of happiness is.
PK Khurana, Founder and Chief Mentor, Wow Happiness, affirmed that happiness comes from an attitude of gratitude.
Yogi Kochhar, Founder of YourOneLife, Commissioner Attaché India, Greek Chamber of Commerce and Economy, answered saying his definition of happiness is managing desires. Either we have poor desires or we have desires that make us feel poor.
Jwalant Swaroop, Founder and CEO, HappyHo Infinite Solutions, said that his definition of happiness is being himself and happiness is his driving force.
Saumya Sharma, Emotional and Wellbeing Therapist, Coach and Trainer, The Butterfly Effect, replied by saying that happiness is being content whilst being authentically oneself. She meant that accepting oneself exactly as he or she is, is by embracing the good, bad and ugly parts of oneself. Knowing that we can change whatever it is, but the first step is acceptance and knowing that we have the ability to change. Taking responsibility of it and being authentically being oneself through changes is happiness.
Sonia Kararha, Founder and CEO, Executive and Life Coach, Corporate Trainer and Consultant, ReVeRa Learning and Solutions, asserted that happiness by her definition is by taking actions which serve our mind, body and soul and taking actions which are purposeful for her and others, is what gives her happiness.
Kararha went on to say that joy is a spectrum of happiness. "Happiness is the equilibrium of mind, body and soul, whilst joy is a part of it. Happiness is not spoken about much and joy is only the what the cause of happiness is."
Sharma spoke about bliss and happiness. She feels what we look for, is endorphins but that is not exactly happiness.
On how does one stay happy when the world is competitive and materialistic, Swaroop responded, “Competition with others doesn’t bring happiness, as true happiness comes from competing with oneself and not others.”
More was spoken about failures and not always getting what one desires completely. Failures can be dealt with by understanding that how much a person can appreciate what they have whilst ignoring the fact that they may not have as much as what they desired initially. Emotions have to be managed.
Khurana said, “Impacting a lot of people’s lives positively brings us true happiness.”
Nayak stated, “We feel that being selfish is negative but that is not true. To be selfish leads to accumulating wealth and only then can you give back as you become selfless. Being selfish achieves a lot for overall growth and is not negative at all.”
To conclude, it can be said that the true perspectives of being positive and not suppressing emotions lead to overall happiness.
