I will talk about the concept of the “Path to Happiness.” This story about the “Path to Happiness” is part of Saito Hitori’s “You don’t have to believe it” series.
For those who can’t believe this story, it’s quite common. Sometimes, people ask me, “Hitori-san, I want to be happy, can you teach me how to be happy?” “Sure. Say you are happy.” That’s about it, but (laughs), let me explain in more detail.
Well, let me explain why saying “I’m happy” makes you happier.
When you say “I’m happy,” your guardian spirits are delighted. They say, “Oh, so you’re happy? It’s because I’m with you,” and they rejoice.
When you say “I’m happy,” your ancestors are pleased too.
They say, “Oh, so you’re happy? We have passed down life from generation to generation, so it’s nice to hear you say that,” and your ancestors are happy.
When you say, “I’m happy,” even God is pleased.
God says, “Oh, that’s good. I’m glad you’re happy,” and rejoices.
When you say, “I’m born on Earth and happy,” the Earth is pleased.
The Earth says, “Is that so? You’re happy, huh? Well, it’s because I’m here with you. You’d fall down without me,” (laughs) and says various things.
When you say, “I’m born in Japan and happy,” Japan is pleased.
When you say, “I’m happy to work at this company,” the company’s president is pleased.
When you say, “I’m happy to work with everyone,” your colleagues are pleased.
I know this is very challenging, but when you go home and say, “I’m happy to be married to you,” your husband will be pleased.
This is a really difficult skill (laughs).
When you say, “Thank you to be born, and I’m happy,” your children will be pleased.
So, when everyone around you is pleased, that’s when you’re truly happy. But there’s one more thing I want to add today.
Well, I’m not saying you should force yourself to feel happy.
Unhappy people have a common trait. For example, when they go out drinking, they say, “It’s the country’s fault, the politicians are bad, the bureaucrats are bad, the company president is bad, that person is bad,” and if you listen closely, everyone except themselves is bad. Well, that’s tough. Everyone except you is bad. You’re surrounded by bad people. I understand, I understand.
By the way, when you say the country is bad or the politicians are bad, there are many countries where you would get arrested and tortured for saying such things. Japan is a country where you can say such things freely, and that’s why it’s a happy country.
Some say “recently, I’ve gained some weight and feel tough…” Currently, it’s said that 2 million people worldwide are dying of hunger each year.
So, being able to eat enough to gain extra weight is a form of happiness.
There is a common trait among people who don’t recover from illnesses. When you ask, “Are you feeling better?” they say, “Well, this part is still not quite right…” They always think about when they were at their best. But people who recover are different. When you ask them, “Are you feeling better?” they say, “Thanks to you. Before, I was in pain and could only sleep for 3 hours, but now I can sleep for 5 hours.” People who express gratitude for even slight improvements get better and better.
If you encounter someone feeling unwell today, ask them.
“Are you feeling better?” “Well, this part is still…” (laughs).
So, the story is about the “Path to Happiness,” but where is this path to happiness? Well, it doesn’t really exist.
It’s very unfortunate. It’s just like a grassy field. Some people want to become artists, others want to become businessmen, and some want to become government officials. Everyone chooses their own path.
On that path, those who wake up in the morning feeling happy, happy to eat breakfast, happy to be with everyone, and keep saying, “I’m happy, I’m happy,” create a path of happiness behind them.
Those who walk while complaining, expressing dissatisfaction, grumbling, and crying create a path of unhappiness behind them.
Don’t seek happiness far away. If you seek happiness far away, most people will never reach it. They will only suffer.
Instead, please notice the happiness within you right now.
Being able to eat, being able to see flowers, and even if you can’t feel happy, please hold your breath for just one minute. After one minute, you’ll breathe and definitely feel happy (laughs).
While walking and saying, “I’m happy, I’m happy,” this path of happiness that you create will undoubtedly lead to the path of success.
Thank you very much for today.
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