What Makes Us Happy? A lesson from 'Furaha yangu'
We often say to ourselves: “I will be happy when I get married and have children. I will be happy when I own my own house. I will be happy when I get a job. I will be happy when I have $100,000. I will be happy when I attain my first degree. I will be happy when…”
Have we ever stopped to ask ourselves, “What about now?” How often do we postpone joy to some future moment, some milestone, some achievement? We imagine that happiness lies somewhere just ahead of us, waiting to be reached. But what happens when we finally get what we wanted? Does happiness last? Or does it fade, leaving us longing for the next thing?
True happiness is not found only in achievement, possessions, or external success. Achievements may bring joy for a while, but it is fleeting. Lasting happiness comes from within. It is a deep, steady contentment that does not rely on circumstances. It is a joy that remains when challenges come, when plans change, and when life takes unexpected turns.
Just as a body needs food, water, and rest to be healthy, our souls have needs that must be nurtured for happiness to thrive. And these needs are often the simplest things: love, peace, gratitude, and hope. True happiness grows when we love others freely, when we are kind without expecting anything in return, and when we find contentment in what we already have.
Jealousy, bitterness, and despair steal joy. When we compare ourselves to others, our hearts feel small, and happiness slips away. But when we rejoice in the successes of others and focus on our own journey with gratitude, joy takes root and grows. Happiness is connected to hope, to believing that God is near, and that He is working in our lives even when we cannot see the full picture.
We also grow and change, so what brings joy at one stage may not satisfy us at another. This is natural, and it reminds us that happiness is not just a destination but a path we walk every day. When we cultivate patience, kindness, and trust in God, we discover that joy can exist alongside struggle, and that peace can be present even when the world feels chaotic.
Happiness is not a prize to be won. It is a gift to receive, a choice we make daily, a melody we sing with our hearts. When we recognize the beauty in small moments—the laughter of a friend, the warmth of the sun, the blessing of breath—we find that joy is already with us. It has been there all along, waiting for our hearts to notice, waiting for us to open ourselves to it fully.
So, let us not wait for the next achievement, the next milestone, the next big thing. Let us rejoice now. Let us sing with gladness, “Furaha Yangu iko ndani yangu!” My happiness is within me. My joy is a gift from God, alive and present today. Let us embrace it, nurture it, and share it with everyone around us, for true happiness begins with gratitude, love, and a heart that sees God’s goodness in all things.
