Happiness is a state of mind. Joy, cheerfulness, and prosperity are all part of it. When you are happy, it affects the activities and environment around you. It shakes away negativity and gloom. Happiness is when you don’t worry much about material things. Contentment is related to happiness. When you are content with what you have, you have no reason to be sad. Waking to the morning sun, being healthy, and feeling grateful are all aspects of contentment and breed happiness. So, what makes you happy? Why should you be happy? (To be discussed in the next thought on happiness.)

Life shakes us all up. Sometimes we have a bucketful of water; other times, we have nothing. But the truth is, only the living can enjoy life’s warmth. An Igbo saying goes thus: “Life (health) is greater than wealth.” (ndụ karịrị ihe eji azụ ya/ ndụ ka ụba). So, when you are alive and healthy, just be thankful and happy. We may not have it all, but are you aware that wealth does not make one happy? As we struggle for our daily bread, resist sadness. Look for every means to be happy. If you have a friend who makes you laugh a lot, then you are even luckier!

Also, to live a happy life, one must be grateful. Understanding that you lived another day while many couldn’t makes you feel like you’re in a relay race. You are still in the race.

If you are reading this, I want you to be happy. Don’t wait for others to make you happy. Treat yourself; make yourself happy. I will write a poem about happiness this evening. Good morning from West Africa!