How to be happy in life

“If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or things.”

I am trying to unfold this quotation from great scientist Albert Einstein.

We always have expectation from other persons, things, life etc. When this expectation does not get fulfill, we become sad and if expectation gets fulfil it is the moment of happiness. When you go to a five star hotel you expect a high quality service, an excellent food and awesome ambiance and if you don't get this you feel dissatisfied and disappointed.

In technical terms, there is a zone of expectation with upper and lower bound. Lower bound is the minimum expectation like if I go to my uncle's house at least I get a cup of tea. Upper bound determines the highest expectation beyond which I don't expect anything, like in my uncle's house I never expect more than one time meal with regular sabji and roti. The zone of expectation also gives rises to lower and higher zone of expectation. Lower zone of expectation is below lower bound and similarly upper zone of expectation is above upper bound. Anything which lies in lower zone make a person unhappy and dissatisfied because I expected a cup of tea and I did not get even a glass of water - Not fulfilling the expectation. Anything which lies in upper zone make a person delight and not just happy because I expected simple lunch and my uncle provided the lunch with ice-cream and mithai. 

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Upper zone ---> delight

------------(Upper zone)------------

zone of expectation - happy

------------(lower zone)------------

lower zone ---> unhappy

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The width of zone of expectation determines the probability of happiness. Greater the width larger the probability of happiness and narrow width increases your chance of being unhappy (considering there is very less probability of delight). It is thus advisable to increase the width of zone of expectation by lowering the lower bound. That means stop expecting. Yes, this is the best way to be happy. It has been found that the biggest reason of unhappiness is because of problems in relationship. The problems arise because of the expectation. We expect too much and the other person is unable to fulfill it.

If you lower your expectation it is likely that you will be happy more often. Most of the expectation is tied to other person and things. If you start expecting less or untying the happiness with person and things you become more happy.

It is better to have high expectation from yourself. Aim higher and expect to achieve it. Nobody will help you to achieve your target and even do not expect it. That is why Albert Einstein said  “If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or things.”.