Perspectives On Aging
The Foundations of Happiness
It is happiness that we all want out of life. Riches, power and all other material accomplishments are things we all strive for in search for it. Many spend their whole lives in this pursuit, and when finally in their possession, they are surprised to find that this peace of mind called happiness has not been achieved. They are not the foundations where happiness can be found - those lie elsewhere.
When we look at people who reflect contentment, we find a common denominator in all. They have spent most of their lives trying to help others, to decrease the burden in other people's lives. They are not egocentric or violent. Fraternity and love of peace is their thing. Vanity is unknown to them. They have never attempted to gain power, but if by chance or skill they have obtained it, they use it only at the service of others, but never as a weapon of oppression. Some are intelligent, and others are not, but all are wise and use their wisdom in the search for happiness. They have high-order ideals and spiritual values and walk in the road of life with their feet on the ground but their eyes on the sky. Most, if not all, believe in the existence of a higher being. Some are religious, and others are not. All believe that life has a purpose, sometimes nebulous, but with love at its center, and try their best to live up to it. When they perform good deeds, it is not to gain something for themselves, not even heaven. They just do it out of love and are surprised to find how happy it makes them feel.
The rich, famous and powerful people I have met throughout my long journey in life are usually not the happiest of people; those I have found mostly among the humble.
In our younger years, life was all play, and we thought that was happiness. In adulthood, struggle kept us busy, but now in our golden years, we have discovered that service is what brings happiness to all.
