happiness
Happiness, defined; things that help you find happiness, keep it, and share it with others.
From Screens to Success
The glow of the computer screen was the only light in Ethan’s small room. His curtains stayed drawn most days, not because he hated sunlight, but because he didn’t want his neighbors to see the reality of his life... 25 years old, unemployed, and completely lost.
By MIGrowthabout a year ago in Motivation
The Lantern of Lost Paths
The village of Eryndor lay at the edge of a vast forest, where the trees grew so tall and dense that sunlight could barely touch the ground. Few dared to travel far into those woods, for stories whispered of paths that shifted, leading travelers astray until they vanished forever.
By Rowaidabout a year ago in Motivation
"The Mountain of Human Sorrows" . AI-Generated.
Man is never happy in any state. Human nature, restless by design, always looks for something else—something beyond reach. Socrates, the philosopher, once shared a profound thought: > If all the troubles of the world were gathered in one place and then distributed equally among everyone, those who now consider themselves unfortunate would find this distribution a blessing compared to their original troubles. Another philosopher went even further, saying: > If we could exchange our troubles with each other, everyone would ultimately choose to keep their original burdens. These sayings hide a deep truth: the weight of sorrow is not in the sorrow itself but in how we bear it. Expanding on these two ideas, I sat one day, tired of the so-called carefree life, and sleep overcame me. In my dream, I saw an extraordinary vision. An announcement had been made from the Court of the Sultan of the Heavens: all the people of the world should bring their sorrows, pains, and hardships and pile them up in one place. For this purpose, a field larger than imagination itself was prepared, and people began to arrive from every direction. I stood in the middle, watching in awe. One after another, they came, casting down their burdens, yet each burden grew larger as it fell. Soon, a towering mountain of grief rose higher than the clouds. Amid the crowd, I saw a strange figure—thin, restless, quick as wind. He carried a mirror that magnified every reflection. His robe was embroidered with demons and genies, swaying to reveal countless illusions. His name was Illusion. It was he who tied up each burden and threw it onto the growing heap. At that moment, I realized: Illusion does not create sorrow, but it multiplies its weight. It makes a small shadow appear as a mountain, a moment’s pain appear eternal. I watched my fellow human beings, my brothers and sisters, with hearts heavy in pity. Some came with poverty, some with sickness, some with heartbreak. A countless crowd of lovers arrived with sighs and laments heavier than iron. They groaned and wept but strangely could not throw away their burdens; instead, they turned back carrying the same grief they had brought. This struck me deeply: Some burdens are not forced upon us—they are embraced. A heart that loves often refuses relief, for even pain becomes precious when tied to love. Old women threw off wrinkles, young men cast away their dark complexions or crooked teeth. Others brought strange ailments—some real, some imagined. Yet I noticed one thing missing: in this massive mountain of misfortunes, there was no foolishness, no cruelty, no bad behavior. I thought: If mankind could throw away greed, arrogance, and injustice as easily as they throw away wrinkles and ailments, then the world would shine like paradise. Meanwhile, a careless hedonist came carrying the weight of his sins. He threw them down, but when I looked closely, I saw he had also thrown away his foresight—the ability to repent and reform. What is lighter than sin carried without wisdom, and what is heavier than sin carried without regret? When the entire field was filled with groans and sighs, the Sultan of the Heavens commanded: “Now take back your burdens and return home.” Panic erupted. Illusion grew busy once more, distributing sorrows in confusion. People jostled, snatching burdens, regretting their choices. An old man who had no child gave up the pain of his illness and adopted a disobedient boy, only to beg later for his colic pain back, saying: “That first torment was a thousand times better than this.” A sailor gave away the torment of chains, only to inherit the torment of liver disease. A man threw away consumption only to take back another heavier illness. Everywhere I looked, regret and lament filled the field. Here I learned another truth: Every sorrow has its secret mercy. Often the burden we hate is lighter than the one we seek in its place. Finally, the Sultan of the Skies took pity and declared: “Throw away your burdens once more. This time you shall each receive your own original burden.” Joy returned. Everyone happily cast away the foreign burdens and received back their own familiar pain. At least their misery was known, not strange. And there is a strange comfort in the familiar, even when it hurts. Then came another command: “Banish Illusion from this place.” At once, Illusion vanished in smoke, and in his place descended a radiant angel. His name was Patience and Steadfastness. Calm, dignified, with eyes lifted to the heavens, he sat near the mountain. As he touched the heap, the mountain of sorrows began shrinking, until each burden was reduced to a mere fraction of its former weight. With kindness, the angel returned to each person their rightful burden, saying: “Do not fear. Lift this with patience, and you will find strength.” The people returned home, each carrying their own sorrow—but now lighter, more bearable, and filled with gratitude. --- Moral of the Story No life is free of sorrow. If all burdens were exchanged, each of us would choose our own again. Illusion makes sorrows unbearable, but patience makes them light. The secret of peace lies not in avoiding grief but in carrying it with steadfastness, gratitude, and faith—for patience transforms even the heaviest sorrow into strength.
By Ihtisham Ulhaqabout a year ago in Motivation
The Beauty of an Uncertain Life
Life is unpredictable. No matter how much we plan, no matter how hard we try to control it, life has its own way of surprising us. Sometimes these surprises are wonderful—a chance encounter, an unexpected opportunity, a door opening just when we least expect it. Other times, they come as challenges—moments when things don’t go as we hoped, when our dreams feel far away, or when we find ourselves lost and uncertain about the future.
By Zidaneabout a year ago in Motivation
Your Subconscious Mind
The Subconscious mind is the most powerful tool a man or a woman could use. It functions like a huge secret memory and does not formulate any arguments. It is completely objective, and it can’t express any point of view. The neutrality of subconscious mind is the core of every action and reaction our thoughts activate.
By LaMarion Zieglerabout a year ago in Motivation
Unstoppable Spirit: How to Rise Stronger When Life Knocks You Down. Content Warning. AI-Generated.
Introduction: The Story We All Live Life is not a straight line. It bends, twists, and throws us into storms we never asked for. We fall, we stumble, we break. And yet, it is in these exact moments of hardship that we discover who we truly are.
By Chilam Wongabout a year ago in Motivation
My First Story and Introduction to My Background
A New Chapter: Why I’m Joining the Vocal Community as a Retired Mental Health Professional Hello friends, Beginning again in a new creative space always carries a mixture of curiosity, humility, and hope. After five decades of work as a psychiatrist, writer, and editor, I find myself here on Vocal, opening the first page of what I hope will be a meaningful chapter of connection.
By Dr Albert Jonesabout a year ago in Motivation
Trusting God’s Timing.
There are moments in life when worry feels like second nature. We stress about the future, overthink decisions, and let doubt creep in when things don’t happen the way we expect. I’ve been there more times than I can count. However, the truth is that every single time I worried, God showed up right on time. His timing has never been late. And each time He pulls me through, I ask myself why was I even worrying in the first place? This realization has been the foundation of my journey with faith: learning to trust God completely, even when I don’t understand what’s happening around me.
By Rereabout a year ago in Motivation
Finding My Voice That I've Lost
A Dream That Refused to Die... Music has been the soundtrack to my life for as long as I can remember. But chasing a dream in music isn’t a straight road it’s a winding path filled with detours, setbacks, and lessons that hurt as much as they heal.
By Romeo Fordabout a year ago in Motivation
Timothée Chalamet: A Portrait of Resilience, Talent, and Stardom
Timothée Chalamet is a name that echoes through modern Hollywood with a rare kind of reverence. In an era where young actors are often manufactured by studios or propelled to fame through sudden viral moments, Chalamet’s rise has been different. His journey has been filled with passion, struggle, failure, and unwavering dedication to craft. What makes his biography not just a story of success, but also one of resilience, is how his vulnerabilities and setbacks became steppingstones toward greatness. This is the story of a boy from New York City who grew up with dreams, chased them relentlessly, and now stands as one of the most compelling actors of his generation.
By Frank Massey about a year ago in Motivation
