What is a problem without a solution? An unanswerable question? One is open to believe they have found a question so complex that it requires no actual answer. And I believe I have found something similar. I ask myself along with many of my friends and family all the time what happiness is. What it is intended to be or even how it is perceived. Of course I get bland responses which reiterate Merriam-Webster’s definition of happiness and that is such a nuisance. Something which is so complex and divine deserves efforts from ones’ mind to actually understand the broad spectrum of happiness throughout the world.
It is possible that one can lack that emotion, but it’s more than that; Happiness is more than just a word, or a definition or a feeling. Nevertheless I am still trying to find what the true meaning of it is. I guess it varies from person to person even though we are all so much alike. Every individual has their own story and their own eyes which allow them see things differently. Generally speaking, happiness is the state of mind of being happy. But what is being happy? I am only eighteen years old currently and have been asking myself that question since | gained a mature sense of mind.
The years I have lived so far act as a source of guidance for me to better understand the world and life we all have and indirectly share. Childhood is a small portion of a lifetime which essentially lasts 10 years. After entering middle school, children are expected to grow up a little bit and start feeling for their own responsibilities. During those modified stages, a person loses their imagination and things start to become serious. Life grows a new meaning, and people start to wonder how to figure it out.
But that’s the thing, life is just another word for figuring it out. No one knows what today or tomorrow will bring. Everyone is so diverse yet we all indirectly coincide with each other. And that matters a great amount. People in America are beyond privileged to have the lives we live, but what some of us fail to understand is that we have people going without food and water and education and shelter all around us yet what are we to do about it? There is a clear line between being selfless and being selfish.
And I believe no matter how big or strong or widely known you are, you too need help sometimes. And that’s where I would like to bring up a past instance I have lived through. Not knowing a few years ago when I was younger that I had so much to go through and discover, I used to explore and venture off with my friends often. Clueless to where we would bring us my good friends and I decided to meet up at a local McDonalds’ one day. As I walked around the corner I noticed from the corner of my eye that there was someone walking with a pivot in their step.
Until | came closer, I noticed that it was an elderly male who had recently had a stroke. I nearly assisted him home to rest before the man told me he in fact wants to exercise. I saw him about to cross the street limping and suddenly I just ran in the street. Something nerve wrecking clicked in me that I just felt I needed to do something. I ran within a 3 feet radius of the man and stood there hoping no cars would come. The elderly man took roughly 4 minutes to cross the street completely and I had a line of 3 cars in front of me of which were obliviously honking their cars.
I apologized to the cars and walked away with embarrassment but then I felt exceptionally delighted with myself. I felt as if I just did a really good deed and I was happy. The satisfaction of my action was something that made me question things even more. I came to one conclusion though; being chivalrous and humble is what I want to define. I have learned over time that doing good and carrying yourself in a respectable manner towards everyone is a good way to live. And I will live that way until I discover whatever else there is to know about happiness.
