Reflections About Happiness: Happiness Is Like a Butterfly
I will share about the story I heard some time ago. Hopefully this story is also useful for all of you who are looking for happiness.
Once upon a time, there was a young man by the river. He looked pensive. His eyes were blank, staring at the water in front of him. He had passed all corners of the compass, but there was not a single point that made him satisfied.
The atmosphere was more quiet, until there was a voice that greeted him. There are other people there. "What are you doing here, young man ?", asked an old man. "What are you worried about ?".
The young man looked to the side, "I am tired, old man. I have traveled miles to find happiness, but I have not found that happiness. I have run through mountains and valleys, but no sign of happiness is present in my life. How should I look for it ? "
The old man listened attentively. Looking at the tired face of the young man in front of him, he began to talk, "There is a garden in the front. If you want to know the answer of your question, catch a butterfly for me". "Remember, catch a butterfly for me with your hand", the old man repeated it again.
Slowly, the young man rose and walked towards the park. The park is full of trees and blooming flowers. Not surprisingly, many butterflies fly there. The old man, watching from a distance, watched every behavior of the young man.
The young man began to move. Sneaking, he aimed for a butterfly. Slowly, slowly, however, the target was missed. He chased the butterfly in the other direction. But again, he failed. He began to run irregularly, crashing here and there, breaking through bushes and shrubs, only to catch the butterfly.
The scene continues, but there is no butterfly that can be caught. The young man began to tire. His breathing rushed, his chest moving up and down quickly. Until finally there was a shout, "Young man, stop first, and rest."
The old man was walking slowly. Around him were a bunch of butterflies flying. They flew on the right and left sides of the old man, occasionally perched on the old body.
"Is that how you pursue happiness ? Running and crashing ? Crashing into an indeterminate direction, breaking through without caring what you're damaged ?" The old man looked at the young man, "Son, seeking happiness is like catching butterflies. The more you lunge, the more he will avoid. The more you hurry, the more he leaves you."
"However, catch the butterfly in your heart. Because happiness is not an object that you can hold, or something you can keep. Look for that happiness in your heart. It will not run anywhere. In fact, without you realize, that happiness is often come alone".
The old man raised his hand. Suddenly, a butterfly appeared on his fingertips. Visible flutter butterfly wings, radiating the beauty of God's creation. The charm is so amazing, the color is so beautiful, as beautiful as happiness for those who are able to dive into it.
From the story we know that looking for happiness is like catching a butterfly. Difficult, for those who are too passionate. We might be able to look for it by crashing here and there, or by running fast, in all directions. However, we learn. We learn that happiness cannot be obtained in such ways.
We learn that happiness is not something that can be grasped or something that can be stored. We learn that happiness is indeed in the heart. The more we pursue it, the more happiness will go from us. The more we try to achieve it, the more it will stay away.
So, try to find happiness in our heart. Let the feeling persist, and last in our hearts. Find happiness in every step that we do. In work, in learning, in sadness, in joy, and in silence. Find it slowly, quietly, in the sincerity of our hearts.
I believe, happiness is everywhere. Maybe happiness is alighting in our hearts, but we never care about it. Maybe too, happiness is floating around us, but we are too indifferent to realize it.