Definition Essay: Happiness Is In Relationships

I believe that true happiness is in the relationships we have with others. In the interactions we exchange-whether they are beautiful or violent, they are the interactions of a human. We often confuse our emotions and misplace what is important and what isn’t. When we do not know what it is that we hold dear, we cannot be happy.

When I was roughly six years old, I was always wanting something, whether it be a new backpack or a new toy. Like any other child, I grew bored with my new toys and demanded more. Nevertheless, one day I glanced at the pile of my ever-growing possessions that so much money was being wasted on. I gawked at that amassing mountain of false happiness, and I felt nauseated. I tingled with disgust and anger as I was ashamed with myself for being so greedy. For not

being thankful for what I always took for granted, and for not at least saying “thank you” to my family. For not looking beyond myself and looking at others and realizing the beauty in doing just that. Eventually I began to do so, and I was happier than I had ever been before in my life.
Eight years later from that incident, I was in Portugal and had brought along a minute amount of Euros that I had salvaged throughout my childhood. I cherished these coins because I had picked them up off of the ground, but not just the ground, the floors of Florence, Piacenza, Madrid, Barcelona, Nice, Munchen, Athens, and Santorini.The floors of places of awe and wonder where history itself took place. In the sweltering heat of the day, my family and I slowly approached a grand, marble church with towering spires and a picturesque face. My attention was suddenly drawn to a hunched shape standing out against the bright, looming church. I narrowed my eyes to see what it was, and saw elderly woman with a paper cup curled up next to the entrance of the church greeting all who passed by. She wore a ragged brown cloak and a faded red shawl. Her hair was almost paper-white save for the numerous grey strands peppered here and there. Years and years of sun exposure were visible on her tan face. I felt a twinge in my chest and glanced at the withered pouch in my clammy hands. It only took a second- I emptied my pouch and deposited the small donation into the cup. In the silence of the deserted plaza, the soft thuds of the coins hitting the bottom of the cup faintly echoed. It didn’t matter who she was, how she appeared, or that she was from a foreign culture. To know that she might be able to eat a warm meal that night was more valuable than anything I could have bought with that money. Her crooked smile and raspy “Abrigado” (thank you) caused a warmness to bloom inside me. Never before had I felt so content helping someone.
I know others have felt this sensation, but many are lured into the endless cycle of materialism.

The ‘happiness’ that it provides is fleeting, and never succeeds to fill the void of hollowness inside of us. Whereas when we interact with others-whether if it is in our “Good morning” to our neighbors or holding the door for passengers in the elevator-we are being human. We humans reach out to one another because it is in our nature. When we act as we are, happiness is fated to flare and burst inside of us. When we gift our kindness and love they are still there no matter how small the amounts. When someone else shares something so important and precious, nothing can matter more. In a life-or-death situation the first things one is going to protect are the people dear to them. They love the ones dear to them because they make them happy. That happiness one experiences is what fills the gaping chasm inside, and allows them to realize what is important and what is not. That happiness is the very thing that truly lets us live as who we are and who we are meant to be. Because of the connections we make and have with others, we can reach that beautiful destination. This I

believe.