Happiness

By Karthika G

For happiness is not a state in eternity,

It's an emotion that's part of an endless cycle of pleasure and pain.

Pain which lies on the other end of the spectrum is desirable too.

The pain in the muscles after a workout,

The pain in the throat after an intense practice for a concert,

The pain in the longing for loved ones or the loss of loved ones,

The amount of physical and mental pain involved in building something that you deeply cherish;

Although they are painful, they are meaningful and desirable.

The happiness when it comes at the cost of hurting others,

The happiness that comes at no cost to you,

The happiness now that you know would snowball into misery later;

Although they may give happiness at the outset, soon it feels hollow from inside.

So, I would prefer a meaningful pain over a happiness that is hollow.

By Karthika G