The key to happiness: Not attitude but gratitude

New Delhi: In the 2006 American flick, The Pursuit of Happyness, Will Smith’s character sums up the attitude of gratitude as the greater wealth to count our blessings every day.
The audience on Sunday was witness to a mini crash course on happiness with Dr Yusuf Merchant, Joshua Pollock, Vishesh Gupta and Harshali Singh. The Holy Grail resonated by all panelists was that happiness is a choice that we have to make every day.You don’t pursue it, it comes naturally.
According to Vishesh Gupta, chairperson of Bharat Soka Gakkai, if we apply the Buddhist philosophy of gratitude in our workplace, then irrespective of the ups and downs and politics, one can really enjoy their work. “It may sound idealistic but if you practice it then you really start enjoying your work. No attitude but gratitude is the key to happiness. You must ever be grateful for whatever you do in your work, it will enhance your skill set,” he quipped.
A perpetual and philosophical query: Is the purpose of life, to seek happiness? No, said Dr Yusuf Merchant who defines himself as the creative addict. For Merchant, life itself has no purpose, we as rational human beings provide meaning to it. “Happiness is not the end story; it is not what you attain after buying your dream car or attaining a specific social position. Happiness is the journey to be enjoyed while you are on your way to fulfilling these goals,” he added.
When asked whether happiness and contentment are synonymous in nature? Joshua Pollock, author and meditation coach, said, “Yes and no! Contentment has different aspects. Sometimes, when you have had dinner, you say you are content but can you also stay content if you haven’t had your food? When you feel you lack something, it itself is unhappiness,” he added.