What is happiness to you, someone asked me? What brings a smile to your face. I thought – food? family? career? cheese? peace? love? What really stood out for me was one word: Freedom!
When I feel free, I am truly feel happy.
Freedom about being me. Being who I want to be. without being confined to the rules, stigmas & taboos set by society. Without worrying about being judged. Just showing my inner-self more than my appearances. That is what freedom is to me.
I did not feel the need to tie myself to societies ways, of dressing, of eating, of choosing a partner, of choosing a career… I just wanted to follow my own heart. It wasnt meant to defy the society or challenge the ways. It wasn’t meant to break rules. I just thought of experimenting with my life on my own terms, at my own cost, knowing fully the consequence.
It was never about crossing legal boundaries, or bending ethical boundaries. But yes, I questioned
moral, social & cultural boundaries, age old rigid customs, rites and rituals. I questioned all the things, which I did not feel comfortable doing. And so I did just that.
And everytime I was able to do so, not be fake, be who I am, not change for anyone, I actually became a much better person. I was able to give more, help more, be more kinder. I was able to rise above my fears and insecurities… be more in control of my own life… fully charged, alive and motivated. I was able to grow more, I was able to reach new heights… My relationships strengthened like never before. The people who could accept me, stuck by.. and I consider them the real angels of my life… The rest moved on… finding their own path.
Freedom is truly happiness for me. Sometimes though, the state of mind happiness is not always constant. It oscillates like a pendulum between highs and lows. And I have succumbed many times to the crutches of society… whenever I was mentally week. And it took courage to pick up the pieces and find myself… to follow my own path.. my own journey… and look within my soul for my true calling.
Does any of this resonate with you? What are the things that make you happy? Is there one word that describes happiness for you?
