Are you Happy or Are you STRESSED??

A group of middle-aged people got together to visit their university lecturer. It was a happy gathering during which both the host and guests began by sharing  happy memories of the moments shared with each other and developments since then.

However, seeing the discussion meander into complaints about stress in work and life, the lecturer arose, went to the kitchen and got an assortment of cups – some made of porcelain and others in plastic and glass. While some looked ordinary there were others that looked rather expensive and exquisite. The lecturer placed the cups on a table and told his former students  to get drinks for themselves.

When all the visitors took a cup each filled up with water, the lecturer spoke, “You will notice, all the cups that looked nice and expensive  were taken up, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal that we only want the best for ourselves, that is also the cause of your problems and stress. What all of you wanted was water, not the cups, but we unconsciously went for the better cups.”

“Just like in life, if life is water, then the jobs, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and maintain life, but the quality of life doesn’t change by the latter. If we only concentrate on the cup, we won’t have the time to enjoy the water it holds.”

This is what happiness is all about. Check yourself to see if you are really happy. Or are you stressed?

What is stopping you from being happy? If you have realised that you are still wasting precious moments in pursuit of silly, insignificant things/pursuits,  now is the right time to reassess the journey of your life and then go about putting things back on track. Only such an approach can lift up your life to great heights in manifold ways.

Sharing with you an anecdote going viral these days on WhatsApp…for a clearer perception of HAPPINESS.

When Nigerian billionaire Femi Otedola, in a telephone interview, was asked by the radio presenter, “Sir, what can you remember that made you a happiest man in life?”

Femi said:

“I have gone through four stages of happiness in life and finally I understood the meaning of true happiness.”

The first stage was to accumulate wealth and means. But at this stage I did not get the happiness I wanted.

Then came the second stage of collecting valuables and items. But I realised that the effect of this thing is also temporary and the lustre of valuable things does not last long.

Then came the third stage of getting big projects. That  was when I was holding 95% of diesel supply in Nigeria and Africa. I was also the largest vessel owner in Africa and Asia. But even here I did not get the happiness I had imagined.

The fourth stage was the time a friend of mine asked me to buy a wheelchair for some disabled children. Just about 200 kids.

At the friend’s request, I immediately bought the wheelchairs.

But the friend insisted that I go with him and hand over the wheelchairs to the children. I got ready and went with him.

There I gave these wheelchairs to these children with my own hands. I saw the strange glow of happiness on the faces of these children. I saw them all sitting on wheelchairs, moving around and having fun.

It was as if they had arrived at a picnic spot where they were sharing a jackpot winning prize.

I felt REAL joy inside me. When I decided to leave one of the kids grabbed my legs. I tried to free my legs gently but the child stared at my face and held my legs tightly.

I bent down and asked the child: Do you need something else?

The answer this child gave me not only made me happy but also changed my attitude to life completely. This child said:

“I want to remember your face so that when I meet you in heaven, I will be able to recognise you and thank you once again.”

EHSAAS  JAGAAO

What would you be remembered for after you leave that office or place or this earth??

Will anyone desire to see your face again where it all matters?

This is a must read piece. It got me thinking.  I am sending it to all my friends. I pray it does the same to everyone.

Reena Charles
Ek Ehsaas Foundation (EEF) Delhi