Happiness Is A Journey, Not A Destination

All of us, at some point of time, in fact almost right through our life, have different types of long term or short term goals – personal goals, professional, financial, social, relationship goals; goals related to physical well being and health, spiritual goals etc.  Sometimes we are not even aware ourselves, but we are passing through the journey of life with some purpose or the other at all times, the purpose may be a higher purpose or something connected to our day-to-day living. 

Whatever actions we perform then, are aimed at fulfilling this purpose. Also, these actions are full of lots of expectations, the expectations of achieving some results. These results which we desire or expect arrive at times and sometimes they don’t. If they don’t, which is a very common aspect of any such journey of purpose; they generate emotions of worry inside us. Even if the results are achieved, the nature of the journey, before those results is stressful as compared to a journey which is purpose filled but expectation free, which some might argue is not possible. Worry and stress not only harm the spiritual and emotional self but even our physical body and relationships, making the journey difficult and tiring. It is not wrong to be action oriented and having some clear objectives in progressing towards our purpose, but we need to be capable of aiming ourselves at our dreams without becoming date conscious and free from the expectation of them being fulfilled now, or on a specific date, in a particular way or form. If not, we live in a tomorrow consciousness and tend to get upset or discouraged easily and we don’t enjoy today. It is not wrong to be happy when we achieve something, but if our happiness is dependent on our achievements, we will always delay it. Happiness is not later, it is always now. Spiritual wisdom says – Happiness is a journey, not a destination.  Here we say – Happiness is not only in reaching your purpose, your destination, but also in the journey of purpose. Also, it’s important to note that a light and detached intellect will always attract positive circumstances which serve as bridges in reaching one’s purpose, much more, as compared to a worried intellect.