All people struggle in their lives for the attainment of a single cause, namely happiness. Happiness is defined in Webster's dictionary as the state of well-being and satisfaction. Out of this definition, which seems to be too general and comprehensive, people tend to offer their own interpretations. Some people believe that happiness exists wherever there is money. Others disagree, maintaining the view that the supreme and ultimate source of happiness lies in the prosperity and glory of one's country where the citizen can live happily and freely. A third group of people holds the view that true happiness lies in the acquirement of knowledge, high diplomas and social positions. As for me, I believe that true happiness exists in the power of extracting it from common things. To support my point of view, the following example may be considered a good case in point.
Once there lived on the banks of the River Dee a miller who was the happiest man in England. He was always singing as he worked all day long in his mill. His cheerfulness made everybody cheerful. People talked about him so much so that the king himself heard about him and decided to visit him. This visit the king wanted to pay to the miller in order to discover the secret of his joy and happiness. As the king stepped inside the dusty mill, he heard the miller singing,
When the king asked the miller about his cheerfulness, the latter answered, "I earn my own bread; I love my wife and my children; I love my friends and they love me; and I owe not a penny to any man. Why should I not be happy?" Thus, the dusty mill brought happiness to the miller, while the golden crown brought trouble to the king.
All in all, what is happiness for one person may not be so for another. One spends his life running after wealth; another seeks glory; and a third one runs after knowledge and social positions. To the first, happiness is wealth; to the second, glory; and to the third, position. However, I believe that none of these three people is really happy. They all still complain, at one time or another, of the heavy burdens of life although they possess what they want. Does this mean that happiness is a mirage or a daydream never to come true? Undoubtedly, happiness does exist, and it knocks at every door, saying to man, "Here I am, at your service, sir. Just relax, and find me inside you."
In conclusion, it is inside that happiness dwells. Happiness can be extracted from the simplest and commonest things in life. One finds it if he does his work honestly driven by a noble motive. One finds it when he opens his heart to people in sincerity, love and trust, as well as when he proves to be dependable, responsible, conscientious and cooperative. Then jealousy, hatred, dishonesty and all other bad traits that poison one's life will disappear, and will give way to happiness that dwells there in peace.
"I envy no-body, no, not I!
For I am as happy as I can be;
And no-body envies me."
