“Happiness is your nature. It is not wrong to desire it. What is wrong is seeking it outside when it is inside.”

Most babies and toddlers are naturally prone to smiling and laughing with the slightest amusement or provocation. But as we grow older, the realities of life set in, we begin to realize what we have and don’t have, and we begin to compare ourself. Meanwhile, events and circumstances occur that start to erode our happiness.

This quote, by Ramana Maharshi, reminds us that happiness is already in our nature. Therefore, when it’s missing or lacking, we have to remember not to seek it from the outside. Rather, we should rekindle it from the inside where it naturally originated before external factors came into play.