The Path to Happiness

Everybody in this world wants to lead a happy and comfortable life. But what is happiness? There is no universal definition for happiness. It is a state of mind and depends on the particular individual. It is more appropriate to say that true happiness lies in oneself. The happiness can be seen reflected on the face of the individual.
Happiness is contagious. When you are happy, you spread it among your surroundings. It is your thoughts that create and control happiness. A smile on your face indicates happiness and a creative and healthy mindset. You can’t purchase happiness by money. No doubt, money may help a person to have   things what he wants.
Forget the Past
Most of us brood over the past, remembering the unhappy past moments. This makes the present also unhappy and sorrowful.  We must try to live in the present, forgetting the past and without worrying over the future. In life certain unexpected events may happen. Every thing is not in our control. But we must be able to face things in a calm and brave manner. It is the positive mental attitude that is more important. We must be able to face things courageously.
Community and Individual
Sometimes rather than an individual, sufferings have to be faced by a group or community of persons at the same time. For example, when a natural calamity such as earthquake, tsunami or volcanic eruption takes place, large number of persons are simultaneously affected, making all of them unhappy at the same time. They have to face the situation courageously and act accordingly.
The degree of unhappiness depends on the particular instance or tragedy. Suppose a member of a family dies, naturally an unhappy environment prevails making all the relatives of the deceased unhappy. If a student fails in the examination, he may be unhappy.
Personal Traits
We must cultivate in us some personal traits like courage, optimism, forgiveness, acceptance etc so that we are able to remain happy even in adverse circumstances.
As mentioned earlier we will not be able to avoid the happening of certain events; but we can face the situation courageously without worrying over the consequences provides we are having the correct mental disposition and attitude.
Money definitely plays a very important role in our life. For a comfortable life, one should have sufficient resources at his disposal. But the question remains as whether there is an upper limit for acquiring the money?

In the present day world, everybody is in a hurry to amass wealth in whatever way it is possible. In this mad rush, life becomes more mechanical and people are not able to lead a happy and peaceful life. Man is physically and mentally upset.
Religious and Philosophical Views
According to Aristotle, happiness is characteristic of a good life, that is, a life in which a person fulfills human nature in an excellent way. People have a set of purposes which are typically human.
Patanjali, The Hindu thinker, author of the Yoga Sutras, has written quite exhaustively on the psychological roots of bliss.
Buddhism encourages loving, kindness and compassion, for happiness and welfare of all beings.
The Muslim Sufi thinker, Al-Ghazali, wrote the Alchemy of Happiness, a manual of spiritual instruction, widely practiced throughout the Muslim world today.