I watched an interesting segment on happiness another day on the morning news. It talked about happiness and how it can now be defined by law: a UN resolution recognizes the pursuit of happiness as a fundamental human right. In light of this, there's a proposal for a constitutional amendment in the Senate where the State must provide social services effectively, transforming them into happiness for the population. I find the idea quite appealing. In fact, it would be great if that really happened (the state ensuring what the people are entitled to). But the fact is, happiness is complex, subjective, and individual. No one can guarantee happiness to another. It's an internal and eternal pursuit. Of course, people who live in an evolved society that functions, fulfills its role and duty, providing good public hospitals, good schools, decent homes, security, and even respectable prisons, have a great chance of being less stressed, which already contributes a lot to the heart. But to conclude that this is guaranteed happiness for sure... it doesn't work that way. Folks, happiness is inexplicable; incomprehensible. Each one knows their own and fights for it. After all, life is nothing if not the pursuit of happiness! I found mine, thank God. I mean, thanks to myself too. I have a share of "blame" there because I went after it, persisted, and achieved it. It materializes for me every day, every hour, in the form of unconditional love for a child. Nothing makes me happier than his smile, his scent, his gaze, his company. Some may think that this is nothing compared to a mansion, the most coveted car, and three trips a year to Europe. For me, 'happiness is not needing to be rich to be happy!' Speaking of money, I agree, it does bring comfort, good moments, and a lot of pleasure. That's certain, you can't deny it. But happiness, the one that springs from the depths of the soul, ah, money can't buy that. Or if it does, it's only for moments or at most a few days. Of course, my motto is not 'love and a cabin.' Obviously, I need and always seek to have a stable financial life because that is also part of my happiness. A great love, a passion, a trip, friends, moments with the family together, dreams, an adventure, hope, health, will, and desire are all forms of happiness. If we have everything together, then it is complete. Being happy is not complicating life, which is already complicated by nature. It's going out with friends on a weekday to break the routine and talk nonsense all night. It's dancing, singing, eating, hugging, kissing (the guy next door or the love of your life). It's watching a movie while eating popcorn. Being happy is having the maturity to understand that what matters is to value the side of the scale where the good moments are, and unfortunately, there's no escaping the bad ones. The great poet, Carlos Drummond de Andrade, once said: 'To be happy without reason is the most authentic form of happiness.' There's no formula, no method. The important thing is to be happy!
This chronicle was published in the book Singles 8, in Dec/2015.
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