Happiness

Happiness consists of two kinds; physical and spiritual. The physical happiness is limited; its utmost duration is one day, one month, one year. It hath no result. Spiritual happiness is eternal and unfathomable. This kind of happiness appeareth in one's soul with the love of God and suffereth one to attain to the virtues and perfections of the world of humanity. Therefore, endeavor as much as thou art able in order to illuminate the lamp of thy heart by the light of love.

- Abdu'l-Baha

As to material happiness, it never exists; nay it is but imagination, an image reflected in mirrors, a spectre and shadow. Consider the nature of material happiness. It is something which but slightly removes one’s afflictions; yet the people imagine it to be joy, delight, exultation and blessing. All the material blessings, including food, drink, etc., tend only to allay thirst, hunger and fatigue. They bestow no delight on the mind nor pleasure on the soul; nay they furnish only the bodily wants. So this kind of happiness has no real existence.

As to spiritual happiness, this is the true basis on the life of man because life is created for happiness, not for sorrow; for pleasure, not for grief. Happiness is life; sorrow is death. Spiritual happiness is life eternal. This is a light which is not followed by darkness. This is an honour which is not followed by shame. This is a life that is not followed by death. This is an existence that is not followed by annihilation. This great blessing and precious gift is obtained by man only through the guidance of God.

- Abdu'l-Baha

Joy gives us wings! In times of joy our strength is more vital, our intellect keener, and our understanding less clouded. We seem better able to cope with the world and to find our sphere of usefulness.

- Abdu'l-Baha

Your utmost desire must be to confer happiness upon each other. Each one must be the servant of the others, thoughtful of their comfort and welfare. In the path of God one must forget himself entirely. He must not consider his own pleasure but seek the pleasure of others. He must not desire glory nor gifts of bounty for himself but seek these gifts and blessings for his brothers and sisters.

- Abdu'l-Baha

If you do not smile now, for what time will you await and what greater happiness could you expect? This is the springtime of manifestation. The vernal shower has descended from the cloud of divine mercy; the life-giving breeze of the Holy Spirit is wafting the perfume of blossoms. From field and meadow rises a fragrant breath of thanksgiving like pure incense ascending to the throne of God. The world has become a new world; souls are quickened, spirits renewed, refreshed. Truly it is a time for happiness.

- Abdu'l-Baha

Be happy! Be happy! The Sun of Truth has shone!

Be happy! Be happy! The Light of the Spirit has surrounded the world!

Be happy! Be happy! The doors of the Kingdom are opened!

Be happy! Be happy! The song of the Supreme Concourse is raised!

Be happy! Be happy! The breaths of the Holy Spirit are life-giving and the world of man is being quickened.

- Abdu'l-Baha

Glad Tidings!

For everlasting life is here.

O ye that sleep, awake!

O ye heedless ones, learn wisdom!

O blind, receive your sight!

O deaf, hear!

O dumb, speak!

O dead, arise!

Be happy!

Be happy!

Be full of joy.

- Abdu'l-Baha

All that we are is the result of what we have thought. If a man speaks or acts with an evil thought, pain follows him. If a man speaks or acts with a pure though, happiness follows him, like a shadow that never leaves him.

-Buddha

If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.

- The Dalai Lama

Happiness is as a butterfly which, when pursued, is always beyond our grasp, but which if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you.

- Nathaniel Hawthorne

Finding happiness is like finding yourself. You don't find happiness, you make happiness. You choose happiness. Self-actualization is a process of discovering who you are, who you want to be and paving the way to happiness by doing what brings YOU the most meaning and contentment to your life over the long run.

-David Leonhardt

Realize that true happiness lies within you. Waste no time and effort searching for peace and contentment and joy in the world outside. Remember that there is no happiness in having or in getting, but only in giving. Reach out. Share. Smile. Hug. Happiness is a perfume you cannot pour on others without getting a few drops on yourself.

- Og Mandino

It is the wish of our heavenly Father that every heart should rejoice and be filled with happiness, that we should live together in felicity and joy.

- Abdu'l-Baha

One who is imprisoned by desires is always unhappy; the children of the Kingdom have unchained themselves from their desires. Break all fetters and seek for spiritual joy and enlightenment; then, though you walk on this earth, you will perceive yourselves to be within the divine horizon.

- Abdu'l-Baha

Stanwood Cobb, the renowned educator, wrote, "This philosophy of joy was the keynote of all Abdu'l-Baha's teachings. "Are you happy?" was His frequent greeting to his visitors. "Be Happy!" 'Those who were unhappy (and who of us are not at times!) would weep at this. And Abdu'l-Baha would smile as if to say, "Yes, weep on. Beyond the tears is sunshine." "And sometimes He would wipe away with His own hands the tears from their wet cheeks, and they would leave His presence transfigured.' In California it was observed that 'despite the Master's fatigue at times, and His physical ailments, He welcomed everyone with a beaming smile, and in His pleasing and vibrant voice would ask, "Are you happy?"' He loved the sound of laughter and often told stories and anecdotes to make us laugh. When we heard Him laugh, we knew that He or someone else had told an amusing story, and the sound of His laughter made us all happy.

- AnnaMarie Honnold