Is it Difficult to Feel Happiness in Simple Things? A Challenge for You!

If your answer to this question is “yes” or “maybe,” here is a challenge for you. Spend a few minutes with me, and by the end of this article, if you feel the slightest grin or even a hint of positive emotion, you lose the challenge! Ready? 

I’m going to describe a few instances from a journey of about 20 minutes on a Sunday evening down Marine Drive in Colombo. Those who have traveled in Colombo can start visualizing as my vehicle enters Marine Drive from one of the interconnecting roads in Kollupitiya between Galle Road and the Indian ocean. 

As soon as the tyres hit the smooth roads of Marine Drive, not only did the vehicle pick up speed, but so did my mood! The sun was setting over the western Colombo ocean, and rain was imminent. The pre-rain breeze, mingled with a hint of sea air, embraced my face, leaving a sense of genuine refreshment and wiping away any lingering thoughts. The sky was turning a golden hue, with rain clouds vying to overshadow the scarlet gaze of the setting sun. 

As my face adopted that natural grin that only nature can inspire, the sights I saw made it even wider. The first scene that caught my eye was a little girl in a pink dress holding a green balloon, purchased by her dad from an old uncle selling a variety of colorful items by the roadside. She had a proud smile on her face as she walked beside her dad, clutching the balloon and a chocolate ice cream cone that she must have bought just minutes before. That proud smile was sure to become a core memory for her! She’ll remember this day, this moment, and someday she may tell her life partner, as they walk along a similar beachside road, “My dad used to take me for walks and buy me anything I asked for!” 

As I continued further, the next sight turned my smile into laughter! A very chubby Labrador was walking its human. Usually, we see humans walking their dogs, with the dog leading and the human following. But this lazy fellow clearly didn’t subscribe to the concept of an evening walk. The human was walking in front, while the four-legged furry one trailed behind, seemingly reluctant to join in the exercise. 

Did you smile? Or at least felt a small sense of positive emotion? If so, I win the challenge! 

You felt happy for a stranger’s experience during a usually mundane commute. Happiness is a state of mind, not something we constantly seek. Living in the moment, having an empathetic approach towards others, and appreciating the simple joys can bring us true contentment. 

Happiness is within reach when we shift our perspective, embrace gratitude, and cherish the small moments that make life beautiful. Remember, happiness isn’t a destination but a journey, one that can be enriched by the simplest experiences.