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Are you happy?
My boss asked. I was super excited about the opportunity to travel abroad for the first time. But when he asked if I was happy, I didn’t know what to say; I never really thought about whether I was happy. Growing up in a middle-class South Indian family, we were taught to be okay with what we had and not ask for more. To live within your means was the motto!
We believed that life gives you what you deserve, so there wasn’t much talk about feelings or being happy. So, when my boss asked me that question, it made me think.
Years later, when my son Athrv was born, my dad came to visit us in Hyderabad. As he was holding Athrv in his arms, I asked him, “Are you Happy?” “I am super happy and super proud of you,” he said. It was surprising because my dad didn’t usually talk about his feelings. But that’s probably the joy of becoming a grandparent changes people.
A few days ago, Athrv came up to me and said he wanted a new pair of football shoes. So, I took him to the nearest store. Unfortunately, they hadn’t received any new stock, and the only shoes available had been tried on by others. We walked out, but I could see that Athrv was upset. I explained the situation to him and assured him that we would find the shoes at another showroom. Over the weekend, I finally bought him a new pair, which was much better! I asked him again, Are you Happy? “Yes, Appa!” He said.
Someone once told me that we often seek reasons to find happiness, but true happiness is actually a state of being. It’s more about the journey than the destination. Perhaps a complex idea for a young boy to grasp, but I’m confident he will understand it eventually. Now, as a parent, I always make sure to ask Athrv how he’s feeling and if he’s happy. This wasn’t something we did much in our family before.
I’ve come to understand that happiness isn’t just about being content with what we have. It’s also about expressing our feelings and staying connected with our loved ones. Now, my mom always says it’s important to be happy in what we do. She tells us to do things that make us happy. Not only have we taken the advice to heart, but we are working on finding happiness in everything we do. It’s a journey all by itself.
As a leader at work, I try to bring these personal insights into five key learnings to foster a positive environment:
☑️ Ask How They Feel: Engage with your team about their emotions and well-being.
☑️ Find Joy Daily: Acknowledge and celebrate the small, everyday victories.
☑️ Be Thankful: Cultivate a culture of gratitude, focusing on the positives.
☑️Talk Openly: Encourage an atmosphere where open communication is valued.
☑️Do What You Love: Align individuals with roles that resonate with their passions or adapt roles to better suit their strengths.
Today, on World Happiness Day, let’s remember to ask ourselves and those around us about our happiness. I want to ask you too: Are you happy?
In Pic: Happy Man!
#worldhappinessday #mentalwellbeing
Ramesh Ranjan1 Comment-
Very useful framework and will use the 5 questions to engage with my team.
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