Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity changed the way we thought of space and time. But did you know he also gave a model of happiness?
In 1922 while staying at Imperial hotel Tokyo, he didn’t have loose change to give the bellboy who had delivered him a message. Einstein instead chose to provide the boy with a tip in the form of his theory of happiness that he scribbled on a paper. The note he scribbled on sold last year for $1.5 million, and it read as follows:
“A calm and modest life brings more happiness than the pursuit of success combined with constant restlessness.”
As these words ring true for so many of us, the bellboy’s descendants are surely smiling at the tip!
Happiness – an enigma?
When you ask yourself this question, “What do I want in life? What’s my aspiration?” the answer usually narrows down to one word: Happiness.
There’s nothing wrong with that except we need to know what this product is and where it is available.
You’d be astonished that while gratification of senses is abundantly available in this world, happiness is visibly absent. Ironically it’s advertised everywhere; you are assured of joy if you buy a particular brand of toothpaste or a car. The mere fact that everywhere happiness is promised means it’s the most necessary experience, and yet so rarely available.
Why is happiness rare and wanted?
To answer this, we need to understand the two levels of happiness.
Type 1: Pleasure
At one level happiness means pleasure – when you listen to a good song, eat a pizza, enjoy sex life, receive love and appreciation, do what you like or take good rest after a tired day, you are happy. And it’s wanted by all because we are pleasure seeking by nature.To be continued…
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