Source of Happiness?

Often we bestow the reason for our happiness on success or on people who please us momentarily/situationally. But in reality what actually is happiness and what causes it, is something that was occupying my mind space in recent past. I did not do any profound research as such but quitely contemplated on this topic. Some of my thoughts are jotted here -

Most widely accepted definition (Also acc to the web search) for happiness: state of well-being characterized by emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy. The keywords I hook on to in this definition are "state of", "emotions". Only these two because by "well-being" what actually implies to me is that it a positive place/state and by "contentment to intense joy", we are including all the positive or good emotions (which release comforting hormones?) So, keeping these buffers aside, I feel happiness is a state caused by some positive emotion. 
So what generates positive emotions in human beings? 
1. When the senses are pleased (one or more of the five)
2. State of mind
3. Success and wellbeing of offspring
------I cant think of anything else to add to this list as of now. 
I find 1 to be external, 2 to be internal and 3 to be perceptional? hmmm
Externally generated emotions would not stay forever neither can we control it. so I find it applicable only when we are young and our senses are active. Internally generated emotions or clarity is more of value just because mind does not depreciate as fast as our sense organs. If we make peace internally with ourselves and the relation between oneself and the external world, happiness originating from such a beginning lasts longer for sure. 
The positive emotions generated when our kid smiles or achieves or giggles has some strange place - heart or mind or ?? perhaps where god resides if he exists. well well, in contrast the hurt generated because of loss of offspring or pain in offspring is again unexplainable. Anyways, I dont want to divert from the topic of happiness. 
After the simple breakdown of the definition, I personally would like to stay happy longer and if possible forever :-) That thought makes me happy. I feel internal peace brings in happiness through mind. Establishing peace with one self is very important. Many a time peace is related to our understanding of our own existence in relation and in co-ordination with people and world around us. 
I am working to make my mind as the source of my happiness. No harm in trying! LOL

Purpose And/Or Pleasure?

An interesting and intriguing concept evolved today out of some random thoughts...

Every person does every single thing with either a purpose or pleasure - ofcourse many a time there will be a situations where one finds pleasure in pursuing a purpose and may discover a purpose while enjoying the pleasure of the instance!

Its tough to punctuate and discipline one's routine.... ask me -- what kind kind of struggle it is... hmm...

But defining why we do what we do will clarify a lot - are we doing it with a purpose or for pleasure? This is a crucial question as it will sure trigger some internal motivation and change the locus of control towards oneself.


Everybody say's one has to clearly distinguish personal and professional lives but I am not yet successful in it. I think its more of an ideology than two separate concepts of "personal" and "professional" - The ideology behind differentiating these lines is in the integrity of the person. How he/she thinks!

I don't think any person in this world can be 100% effective in his work if his personal life is a mess,.... can one be loving and cheerful if he is just screwed at work! - Well, if one can be so detached then he sure has attained the supreme sense of detachment ( Gita - personified! Ahhhh)

Now speaking of the ideology behind how one can identify and clarify the concepts of professional and personal blah blah.... It is the choice between Purpose and Pleasure!
If we know why we are doing it we will know how important is and will figure out how to do it!

So act with the P's - PP or PL?
every thing can be identified by P's - eat, sleep, work, exercise etc....
Both the P's have power! power to motivate, power to change and power to enhance one's quality of life.

Personal and Professional Fronts - Can they be detached?

I am brain storming and mind storming this topic and will get back with some sensible conclusion - :-)

This one inspires me no matter when.....

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you
But make allowance for their doubting too,
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream–and not make dreams your master,
If you can think–and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build ‘em up with worn-out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it all on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: “Hold on!”
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings–nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much,
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And–which is more–you’ll be a Man, my son!

–Rudyard Kipling

Repunctuating Life.....

Being punctual and disciplined was never my cup of tea. I was always on the go, go by the flow... may be a little bit of haphazard planning which again will change its course eventually. But dad always preached discipline which I did have partially when I was under his roof (most of it only when there was a fun factor involved in it) but now..... I am on the verge of taking a well informed conscious and responsible decision for my entire life which I strongly believe will give fantastic results all the way.

I am about to re-punctuate and discipline my life! (Is it me saying this? still cant believe..... I think I am becoming crazy by the day) Well, whatever it is, as a token of self-respect I cant go against my decisions.

I am kind of little too precarious about how I am going to manage with such a powerful resolution so will get back with how I attempted to changing my lifestyle slowly and steadily very soon.

Excited and curious as always.

Understanding and discovering self - challenging and rejenuvating experience

Perhaps, most of us would have gone through this phase of self adjustment to new places, new people and new lifestyle at some point of time. For me, my marriage has initiated this process.

I married a wonderful man who is personification of all the ideal characteristics I wanted in my husband. The journey between engagement and marriage was magical and to my surprise, he often proved to be more than my imagination. After this beautiful four month period we got married and then started struggle (typical Kota style!) Not really!

My husband has become the person through whom I discovered quite a bit about myself that I was previously unaware of! I never experienced or even knew that I think tangentially at times, I get jealous, I am possessive and I too need attention ( etc alike). Love brings in such new shades within us for our loved ones. I panicked in confusion as to why I was so possessive or so attention seeking but the lovely man I have demonstrates me the cause and effect of all the emotional transformations within me every time with patience and perseverance.

I cant thank god enough for what he has given me, wonderful people - my parents, my bro, my hus, my friends everyone. though I never felt incomplete, only my hus could give me this sense of completeness and bliss. I am discovering so much about myself each day that I have started to rejuvenate my life in several beautiful ways. Its also a challenge at times when it calls for adjustment especially with something you may be unaware of previously. But life is moving melodiously with all elements periodically playing their role in a symphony.

Perhaps its a little bit early to give out statements but I feel confident and contented with the way things are moving on. One major discovery that I made about myself (which may be true in general too) is that FEAR is the root cause of all anger/negativity/ego. Once that is conquered we find ourselves in a peaceful place once and for all. Never let fear over take your emotions.

Finally, live love and laugh!