Happiness

This is a poem I wrote years ago which may be found at http://www.uramamurthy.com/mohan_gems.html as a part of "Today's Beautiful Gem".

==== Happiness ====

The constitution of US is quite concise, readable and ennobling. Two striking phrases from this document are: "We, the people..." and "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness..." The pursuit of happiness is thus an important aspect of the citizen's free life. How does one define happiness? What is happiness? How can one obtain happiness? Can it be purchased? Can it slowly be accumulated? Or is it a feeling lasting and eternal? Or is it a feeling transient and ephemeral? Does money-making bring happiness? Does power over people make one happy? Does success (obviously) bring happiness? Is happiness blasting nuclear weapons? Is happiness gassing one's brothers and sisters? I don't know; but here are some of my definitions of happiness.

Happiness is somersaulting on the grass
Happiness is dancing on the floor
Happiness is eating with fingers
Happiness is kissing the loved ones
Happiness is hugging your child
Happiness is praying with closed eyes
Happiness is sunrise on the beach
Happiness is sunset on the hills
Happiness is walking with bare feet
Happiness is talking with a friend
Happiness is laughing at oneself
Happiness is crying when triumphant
Happiness is swimming in a lake
Happiness is hiking on a trail
Happiness is biking down a slope
Happiness is driving with windows open
Happiness is reading good poetry
Happiness is writing a love-letter
Happiness is singing songs in solitude
Happiness is giving to charities
Happiness is holding hands together
Happiness is smelling sandalwood
Happiness is snowflakes on the tongue
Happiness is ocean waves breaking at the feet
Happiness is trees swaying in the breeze
Happiness is the sound of birds' songs
Happiness is seeing Jordan score a basket
Happiness is watching Tendulkar hit a sixer
Happiness is playing catch-ball
Happiness is painting children's faces
Happiness is climbing hill-tops
Happiness is days of childhood
Happiness is years of parenthood
Happiness is looking up at the sky
Happiness is looking down from the mountain tops
Happiness is shouting on the hills
Happiness is listening to your echoes
Happiness is playing with your puppy
Happiness is riding on a horse
Happiness is jumping the ropes
Happiness is sharing your recipes
Happiness is caring for the old
Happiness is winning a small lottery sum
Happiness is touching your beloved
Happiness is listening to Bach and Mozart
Happiness is listening to MS and Ravishankar
Happiness is singing "Happy birthday to you"
Happiness is saying "Merry Christmas"
Happiness is greeting "Happy New Year"
Happiness is being healthy
Happiness is being alive
Happiness is living every moment
Happiness is life-- and death

Enjoy! Regards - mOhana

PS: Here are stickmen together forming the letter H for happiness.