Through my eyes

Like many people, life has been spinning at a fast pace here in my orbit. I know I am not the only one experiencing overwhelming emotions of inadequacy in this whirlwind of life.

We all know that success doesn't equal happiness. That's the message coming in loud and clear in this dawning era of transparency, social media and hashtags.

These days it seems that success without popularity doesn't count and slipping into the shadows in the wake of an achievement is no longer an option.

This is the paradox of the modern digital world: It demands broadcast-quality demonstrations of social value, even as it steadily erodes our ability to deliver them.

So what does it take to live a good life? Surveys show that most young adults believe that obtaining wealth and fame are keys to a happy life. But a long-running study out of Harvard suggests that one of the most important predictors of whether you age well and live a long and happy life is not the amount of money you amass or notoriety you receive.

A much more important barometer of long term health and well-being is the strength of your relationships with family, friends and spouses.

American philosopher, self-help author, and a motivational speaker Wayne Dyer once said, "There is no way to happiness, happiness is the way."

For me happiness is merely the absence of fear. We all have fears and we all live each day with one or more of them. The only way to not be afraid is to be fully engaged in the moment.

That's why the happiest people are those who have hobbies or who meditate, practice yoga and exercise et cetera.

The term happiness with regards to one's overall life is misleading. Happiness is more or less situational. There are ups and downs in life, tragedies, loss and emotional upheavals.

The overall goal is to be content, where one has security, health, social support and financial stability. There doesn't have to be studies to find some magical answer to "happiness".

I also think it is highly beneficial to eliminate stress in one's life whether that be from work, family or financial matters. Giving back is important and fulfilling. Give, don't just take, as so many people are doing today.

Be present as much as possible and live in the now, and try not to deliberate so much on things in the past or future, which cause anxiety. This is the key to creating your own happiness.