If peradventure you were to quantify your measure of happiness in this world, what standards would you use? Would it be through your level of success, wealth, acquired possessions, or relationships? 

I reflected on this question during the week and after much thought, I had no choice but to settle on the last of all options. Reason being, that one cannot underestimate the value of in-depth friendships and lasting relationships.  

A case study of senior citizens at a retirement home revealed that majority of the aged residents longed to have their relations close by. Sadly, their absent relatives seemed to be making the same error, in that they too, had become engrossed in the hustle of everyday life. This in turn, would one day give give them cause to ponder at the latter end of their lives.

What struck me the most as I considered this question, was the way material possessions seem to give fleeting pleasures. Such that a house full of state of the art furniture, expensive cars, choice meals, apparels and everything one could possibly wish for in this life, could leave a longing for more and more. 

Although such possessions come with a bit of happiness, as the years roll by, one realizes that a house filled with lasting friendships and relationships outweigh the former.

Furthermore, if a lonely person decides to engage in more activities, the activities may bring temporal relief, but, once they agree to listen to their hearts, and fill their life with uncommon connections to persons of similar mind, their lifetime, turns around to be more fulfilling and joyous.

What exactly am I saying and why have I chosen to toe this line? 

You see we can never underestimate the importance of relationships, be they be family ties or friendships. Many times the tendency is to think that we are good and lack nothing and to disassociate ourselves from the majority. 

Whatever the reason, let’s not realize the outcome of our decision at the latter end of our lives when its totally impossible to make amends.