Pritha had a successful career as a software engineer. She lived in an impressive apartment and had a lively social life. Despite these outward signs of success, she often felt a profound sense of unhappiness, a nagging feeling that something was missing.
One day, her childhood friend Reena visited from a small village. Reena had left her city job to run a modest bakery that had been in her family for generations. The bakery was far from glamorous, but it was loved by everyone in her village for its warmth and the delicious treats it offered.
Reena, being her childhood friend, didn’t fail to notice Pritha’s constant restlessness. One day, they met at a café. She asked, “Pritha, you have everything many people dream of—success, wealth, and comfort. Yet, you seem unhappy. What’s troubling you?”
Pritha sighed deeply. “I don’t know, Reena. I have achieved so much, but I still feel unfulfilled. I thought reaching these goals would bring me happiness, but it feels like something is still missing.”
Reena listened thoughtfully and then said, “Happiness isn’t something that can be handed to us by others or obtained through possessions alone. It’s more like a key that fits a specific lock. If the key doesn’t match the lock, it doesn’t matter how shiny or expensive it is; it won’t open the door.”
She continued, “Take my bakery, for example. It’s not a grand establishment, but it aligns perfectly with my deepest desires and needs. It connects me with my community, allows me to create something I love, and brings joy to those around me. That alignment makes me feel fulfilled.”
Pritha was intrigued but unsure how this applied to her own life. Reena’s words lingered in her mind. She began to reflect on her own achievements. She realized that while she had accumulated career success, her job in software engineering did not resonate with her inner values or passions. It was like having a key that didn’t quite fit her lock.
Pritha started examining her life more closely. She noticed that her daily work, though financially rewarding, felt disconnected from her true interests and deeper needs. She had focused on external markers of success—promotions, salary increases, and recognition—but she had ignored what she genuinely valued and enjoyed.
Inspired by Reena’s analogy, Pritha began exploring her own passions outside of work. She volunteered at a local animal shelter, which brought her a sense of purpose and connection. She took up painting, a hobby she had long forgotten but which reignited her creativity. She started a travel blog, which allowed her to share her experiences and connect with others who shared her interests.
As Pritha engaged in these activities, she noticed a shift. The happiness she had been searching for started to surface. Her involvement with the shelter made her feel connected and valued, painting provided a creative outlet, and the blog gave her a sense of accomplishment and community.
Gradually, Pritha’s feelings of dissatisfaction diminished.
She understood that true happiness wasn’t about the status or possessions she
had but about how well her life’s pursuits matched her deepest desires and
values. Her journey taught her that aligning her life with her true passions
was the key to finding genuine fulfilment.