"خوشبختی چیزی نیست که اتفاق بیفتد"

Happiness isn’t a thing that just drops into our laps out of nowhere. It’s not like waiting for a meteor shower or a winning lottery ticket. Instead, happiness is something we actively create, like a painter working on a canvas or a gardener tending to their plants. It demands intention, effort, and sometimes a bit of elbow grease.

Let's rewind a bit to understand the context. This idea—that happiness doesn’t just happen—has been echoed by many philosophers, psychologists, and ordinary folks over the years. They realized pretty quickly that if you sit around waiting to be happy, you might be sitting for a very long time. This sentiment gained even more traction with the positive psychology movement, spearheaded by people like Martin Seligman around the late '90s. They shifted the focus from treating mental illness to actively fostering well-being and happiness.

Picture this: There’s a woman named Sarah. She lives in a bustling city, works a high-stress job, and spends most of her time in front of a computer screen. Despite her high salary and swanky apartment, she’s perpetually unhappy. One day, she decides she’s had enough. She starts small—takes up a pottery class, which she’d always been curious about. She begins to meditate for 10 minutes each morning and starts running in the park on weekends. Gradually, she builds these habits into her life, intentionally cultivating activities that bring her joy and purpose. Over time, Sarah finds herself feeling happy more often. Her happiness wasn't a fluke; it was the result of her deliberate actions.

So, how can you apply this wisdom? First, identify what genuinely brings you joy or fulfillment. Think small—whether it’s gardening, painting, hiking, or even just reading a good book with a cup of tea. Then, make a commitment to incorporating these activities into your routine. Don't just wait for a happy moment to strike like lightning. Create it. Schedule it if you have to. And be present. When you're engaged in these activities, immerse yourself fully—don’t let your mind wander off to work emails or grocery lists.

Let's make it even more relatable. Imagine you're sitting with your friend, Jake. He’s always complaining about how unhappy he is. His days are a blur of work, TV, and sleep. You can see he's stuck in a cycle of routine with no spark. One day, over coffee, you suggest he try something new—maybe join that local soccer league he’s always talked about or start cooking those elaborate meals he drools over on Instagram. At first, he’s skeptical. But he gives it a shot. Slowly, he starts to realize that the joy he finds in these activities spills over into other areas of his life. He feels more energetic, more connected, and, yes, happier. Jake’s happiness didn’t just happen. He created it.

In essence, think of happiness like a garden. If you want it to flourish, you’ve got to plant the seeds, water them, and pull out the weeds. It’s an ongoing process, but the effort is worth it. Next time you find yourself waiting for happiness to appear, remember—it’s up to you to make it happen.