Life Can Be Happy and Meaningful

Not long ago, a poll was conducted among students in a middle school. They were asked to make a choice between these two sentences—“no one can be happy” and “one can be happy”. Shockingly enough, about 60 percent of the students agree to the first statement. But to live on, we’d better say to ourselves that there is happiness in life.

I have been thinking of this question ever since. The more l think the more l am convinced that if we have a right attitude towards life, our lives can surely be happy and meaningful.

It true that all people have some bitter experience. But it is through overcoming hardships that our happiness emerges. Many people admire Madam Curie, and say with a sigh, “if l could live like her, l would be the happiest person in the world.” But if we take a close look at her life , we will find her happiness is closely connected with her misfortune. First of all,  she did not have a happy childhood. When she was in France, she studied twice as hard as others but lived a poor and simple life. In her research work, she had to sit up late night after night. She experienced many loses, too—she lost her beloved father, her dear husband, and later her eyesight. But she never complained and never stopped working for the benefit of mankind. That’s why her life was happy and meaningful. She fought against life’s bitterness and difficulties and conquered them all.

Some people complain that their work is insignificant and thus their lives are meaningless. But what kind of work is significant? Worker, peasants, teachers, and scientists, they are all working for the welfare of mankind, themselves included. That is where the meaning of life lies. But some people seem to think little of such a life. Once a friend of mine told me he felt very wretched for having to work as a teacher. Our lives can be compared to candles. While giving light to others, we ourselves are burning out. Our students may become famous one day, but what will become of us? We shall only remain what we are—fame less and wealth less.”Paradoxically, l would rather think he was giving a vivid description of the nobleness of a teacher. Different people may think of life differently. But of one thing l am certain: happiness never favors those who merely care about themselves, and the meaning of life cannot be understood by those who refuse to sacrifice anything for others.