Man is constantly in search of happiness. Even when satisfied with his lot, he still feels something is missing and that is the real happiness. Happiness is a state of the mind and it is something which lies dormant within but which needs to be discovered. We search for happiness all around us because we lack contentment. Happiness is not something to be found because it can never be lost. We find something or the other missing from our physical, emotional, psychological, intellectual or spiritual life.
Life is a long and rough journey with many ups and downs. The path we tread is not the same always; it keeps changing. The only common element is that we all are human, operating within the same biological and psychological rules which determine our well-being. How well we understand and adjust to the operating framework existing around us depends on how well we understand it and apply it our lives. ?To know the basic principles, it is important that we fully understand ourselves first,? says the author.
People are happy when they are in control, that is, why they feel competent to satisfy their needs and reach their goals. Happiness is an indication of a person being biologically fit and cognitively in control, that is, he or she can satisfy all basic needs despite possible perturbations from the environment. Such control has three components, namely, cognitive competence, material competence and subjective competence. Cognitive competence is the ability to find, recognise and apply the needed resources. Material competence arises when the resources are there but one is unable to believe in or exercise one'scapability to find and utilise problem-solving skills and capacity.
In short, happiness is in knowing yourself and being what you are. Be realistic and honest and accept things which you cannot change and change those which you can. ?The realisation of who you are and how you want to lead your life will enable you to live happily forever,? concludes the author.
This is a book on personality psychology and will help in developing a positive attitude to life.
(Sterling Paperbacks, A-59 Okhla Industrial Area, Phase II, New Delhi-110 020.)
