Happiness Is...

Amidst the luminous landscape of my life’s journey, I’ve noticed a curious tension between self-exploration and collective contribution. It’s a tension that tugs at me to discover what it means to be truly happy. My quest for happiness, my dear friend, is akin to walking a spiritual tightrope. On one end, there’s a craving for personal fulfilment; on the other, a longing to make this world a more hospitable dwelling for all souls.

I’ve often wondered about the role of acceptance in this enigmatic emotion we call happiness. Yes, acceptance—the radical act of embracing ourselves in totality, the symphony and the discord, the virtues and the flaws. The moment I began to cradle my imperfections, to wrap them in the same warm blanket of attention that I reserve for my strengths, something liberating occurred. The path to happiness began to clear like fog lifting off the coast in the morning.

I believe that authentic happiness has two faces: it’s Janus-faced, if you will. The pursuit of self-contentment, without the compass of purpose, can become a hollow endeavour. My search for happiness eventually morphed into a search for meaning. It wasn’t just about me anymore; it was about the we, the collective symphony of humanity. Specifically, it was about the melody that over half this world’s population can create—a chorus of empowered women.

Consider the empirical evidence. Study after study has shown that when women are educated, a cascade of social benefits follows. Amongst these is one benefit that is remarkable: a reduction in global population. Just think about that! By pouring resources into educating women, not only do we elevate half the world’s intellectual capital, but also we contribute to a more balanced, sustainable earth. It’s not just good ethics; it’s good logic.

In empowering women, I have discovered a purpose that marries personal fulfilment with collective well-being. It’s like finding that sweet spot in a Venn diagram where the boundaries of self and society intersect. This, my friend, is the soul of my happiness—the intersection of my deepest passions with the world’s greatest needs.

In a way, each of us is a small earth, teeming with dreams, hopes, and potential. When we care for ourselves, when we invest in our inner growth, we’re not being selfish. We’re actually contributing to the well-being of the larger earth—our shared home.

And so here I am, standing at the cusp of two quests—one for personal happiness, and the other for global transformation. They are not separate. They are two legs of the same journey—a journey that teaches me to be kind to myself so that I can be kind to the world, a journey that roots me in my own being so that I can contribute to the well-being of all beings.

In the grand dance of life, when one woman rises, we all do. And it is here, in the union of the personal and the universal, that I’ve found the purest form of happiness—a happiness that isn’t just about thriving, but is also about helping the world thrive too.

Happiness is living your true self rather than simply existing.