What is Happiness?

Last evening, as I was going back home, a thought suddenly crossed me. It has been going on in my mind for quite sometime. Why do people go about in search of happiness? Why don’t people enjoy what is available? Why do they set standards for happiness?
Many a time, happiness is of a comparative nature. People look at another person and feel that things should move on as it has moved for the other person and only then would they be happy. Why? Happiness is right there in front of each of us. Happiness is there sitting along with us waiting for us to engulf it, savour it, be with it. So what if life is not the same as that of the neighbor? So what if one’s son studies Commerce instead of Medicine like his cousin? So what if one person decides to settle in a town unlike his neighbour who is in the US? What is the basis for setting these parameters? The saying “the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence” rings well in these cases.
I am a firm believer of enjoying each day of my life. I believe that everybody has the power to create happiness for himself and the people around. Happiness lies in the small things- waving at school kids in the bus, spending a day off with family, enjoying a fresh shower, sipping hot coffee, writing an article and sharing it, gifting a hand-made gift, cleaning the room and relaxing on the freshly made bed, adding colour to your work station, sending a beautiful birthday message to a friend who is least expecting it, surprising a loved one with a bouquet of flowers, teaching someone who is not literate…the list is endless.
We are full of energy to spread cheer.