A happy family helps one to achieve inner peace

Everyone wants to be happy with their loved ones. But are we really experiencing happiness within our family? Animals neither have a concept called family nor desires for their loved ones; hence no commitments or expectations. But we humans do live as families and give importance to our relationships. But are we really happy with our loved ones? The current data shows that many people suffer from psychosomatic disorders due to stress because of conflicts in family. There is lack of happiness in today’s families. We have reached heights in terms of skills but happiness in family is still a big question. What is the reason behind it? What is God’s concept of happiness in family?

Let us take a simple story from our ancient scriptures. An ardent devotee dedicates his life offering prayers and respect to his God. He does everything to show his real love and gratitude to God. In turn God is also very happy with his sincerity. The man though fails to listen to his wife and son who happily come to share their thoughts and family matters. Understanding the man’s duty towards God, they also refrain from disturbing him. One day God happily bids goodbye and leaves the house. The man then decides to spend time with his family which makes both the son and wife happy. After few days, he was surprised to see God sitting outside his house. He felt sorry that he didn’t notice God’s return. God replied that he had never gone anywhere to be back again.

The primary thing that God wanted was happiness in the family and that is what God saw for the past few days. He saw unconditional love among the family members. All what we expect from our loved ones is little ‘time’ to share our thoughts. This story throws light on the fact that how much ever far you go in search of God, you will never be able to experience God unless you are happy with your family. God will come and seek you if there is happiness in your family. This is the highest truth as per our vedas.

Understanding this story, we also realise the truth that, in our lives, most of the problems arise due to expectations. As long as there is relationship there will be expectations and expectations exist only between loved ones. Without understanding this, many get into conflicted relationships. We tend to lose temper on our loved ones. Is it easy to live without expectations? As long as we have head, hair keeps growing and as long as we have fingers, nails keep growing. Similarly as long as we are in a relationship, expectations keep growing and it’s our duty to cut down the nonessential and unwanted expectations and not the relationship forever. If we follow this, life will be much more beautiful.

Let us all remember that we are here not to control each other but to facilitate each other. When we become a source of facilitation, a source of support, the entire concept of relationship changes for good. In fact vedas say that a real relationship is one in which one makes the other feel that the problem is not a problem. When you have your loved ones by your side, any problem can be faced without fear. This feeling is the highest feeling in a relationship. With this, the entire world will experience peace. Global peace can be achieved only when there is inner-peace and inner-peace is possible only when there is happiness in the family.

Therefore as we are heading towards the New Year, instead of taking so many resolutions, let’s focus on our self and our family to achieve inner-peace which in turn is a contribution to world peace.