The Elusive Quest for Permanent Happiness

People spend their entire lifetime trying to have, do, or be something (sometimes many things) so that they can become happier. They take actions based on their desire for this happiness. Their quest IS for happiness, security, peace, and meaningfulness. This quest has been continued for centuries. Human beings have found a way to explore space and have even landed on the moon.

According to many statements and articles in the field of technology, it has been reported that we have become more technologically advanced in the past 50 years (from 1950 to 2000) than we have ever been since the dawn of mankind. There have been gadgets galore, and many promises of a happier life.

We have accomplished all of this, but the basic question of happiness has remained unanswered and incomplete. The most pertinent question at the moment is how we, the human species, have achieved so much externally, while remaining incomplete and unfulfilled internally. How come we are ready to create and find solutions for external challenges, while our internal life remains empty and devoid of happiness and meaning? How come all our promises of a happier future have turned into the emptiness that we feel today? The answer to this question lies in our focus. The focus of our species, as a whole, has always been to look outward. We look outward for approval. We look outward to determine our value. We look outward for the next thing that can satisfy our desire. We look outward for that elixir that can solve all of our problems. We simply just look outward and grasp for everything and hope that it would make a difference in the way that we feel.

Sometimes, this does work. We do feel satiated and happy. We feel amazing when we get that new job, a raise, the woman or man of our dreams, when we are able to buy that new car that we have always had on our minds. We feel terrific when we have started up a company that was just in our imagination and dreams, when our business that we have started with our own hands is successful and our products are in demand in the marketplace. We feel absolutely incredible when we have put our life back on track. We do feel remarkable when we have received all that we desire. Let me ask you a question. What happens after you receive it? Honestly, I want all the readers of this article to ask and answer themselves this question honestly. What does happen after you receive the things that you want? How long are you happy for? What goes on after that? What happens after you have received that job that you have always wanted? What happens after you have received that raise you have longed for? Are you now always happy?

If you have honestly answered the question then your answer might sound something like this: