Happiness is an Illusion
True happiness is internal and doesn’t come from external things.
ONCE upon a time, there lived a handsome prince who was heir to the throne. He had everything he could want: a loving family, the best education and wealth beyond his wildest imagination. Yet, something was missing.
What he desired more than anything in the world was a wife to share his life with. The king and queen eagerly arranged meetings with the most beautiful young ladies in the land. The prince met every one of them, but none of them won the prince’s heart.
Several months went by, searching, and still, the prince yearned for the love of his life. The king and queen were desperate and thought that there was no other option but for the prince to visit God and ask God for a bride.
The prince agreed.
God was surprised to see the prince. He said, “I thought you had everything you could possibly want. Why are you here?”
The prince replied, “Yes, by your grace, I am indeed blessed, but I long for a suitable companion. If only I could meet the right girl, then I would be happy. That is why I am here, to request you to find me a bride.”
“Are you sure that is all you want?” Asked God.
“Oh yes, to be with the girl of my dreams is all that my heart desires.” Replied the prince confidently.
“So be it!” Said God. “When you return to the palace, your parents will have found the perfect girl for you. She will be blessed with all the virtues you seek.”
Humbly thanking God, the prince returned to the palace, and sure enough, the girl was perfect. She was exactly what he had hoped for.
A royal wedding was arranged, and the prince was happy once more.
But then,
A few months passed, and again, the prince felt like something was missing. What he desired more than anything in the world was a child.
The couple tried to conceive, but they were unsuccessful. Not even the best doctors were able to diagnose the problem.
The prince was devastated.
Then, his wife suggested that he go to God and ask for a child.
“I have already thought of that,” replied the prince. “But the last time, I told God there was nothing more that I needed. How could I possibly ask Him now?”
“Everyone makes mistakes.” She said. “God will understand, and I’m sure He will help us conceive a child.”
Convinced by her reasoning, the prince set out for the heavenly kingdom. God was again surprised to see him. He asked the prince what he wanted.
The prince replied, “Thanks to You, I have been blessed with the most gracious wife, but we have been trying to conceive a child, without success. Can You please help us?”
“Do you have a preference?” Asked God.
"No, no preference. A healthy child is all I want." Replied the prince confidently.
“Are you sure that is all you want?” Asked God.
“Yes, I'm sure. There is nothing more that is lacking in my life.”
“So be it!” Said God. "When you return to the palace, your wife will have conceived the child of your dreams.”
Thanking God from the bottom of his heart, the prince returned home. Sure enough, his wife had conceived. Nine months later, a beautiful baby boy was born. Their joy knew no bounds. Everything was perfect, and the prince was happy again.
Dependent Happiness
A few months passed by, and they noticed something strange about their son. He was not responding like a normal child. The doctor’s diagnosis left them devastated.
Their beautiful little boy was completely blind! And there was nothing that the doctors could do.
His wife pleaded to the prince to ask God to cure his blindness, but the prince was too ashamed to visit God a third time, especially after confirming that there was nothing more he wanted.
But seeing his wife so upset, he relented and, with a heavy heart, went to see God in Heaven.
God granted him his desire. He asked the prince if that was all he wanted, and again, the prince was sure that there was nothing more.
The prince went home to find that his little boy could see.
He was overjoyed!
A year passed by, and his wife became seriously ill. The doctors did all that they could do, but her illness was incurable. They said that she only had a few months to live.
The prince was overcome with grief. His only hope was to visit God and ask God for a cure.
God was indeed surprised to see the prince. He asked him what he wanted. The prince told God about his wife's terminal illness and said that the doctors were unable to save her.
He said, “I realise each time I ask you for something I say that there is nothing more that I want, but I beseech you, please grant me this one last wish—a cure for my wife. That is all that I want. Please let my wife live to see our son grow up.”
God granted his wish, and the prince was happy again.
“If Only” Never Ends
Everybody believes that happiness is just around the corner, in this or that thing. Or being with this or that person. Or changing their situation somehow. They believe, “If I get that, then I’d be happy.” Or “If only I could change that, then I’d be happy.”
Whether it’s having more money, finding a partner or securing a new job, whatever “it” is, having “it” will not make you any happier.
Yes, you’ll be happy for a while, but it won’t last. It never does.
Our external quest for happiness is caused by the fact that we are already happy, we are already fulfilled, whole, and complete, but we just don’t know it.
And because we don’t recognise our completeness, we feel inadequate and incomplete, as if something is missing. But this belief is an illusion, a misunderstanding.
It works like like this: a weary traveller sees an oasis, not realising it’s just a trick of the light. He doesn’t see reality clearly. This misunderstanding creates false hope. And isn’t this what happens to all of us?
We see something we like and because we don’t see the reality of our completeness we believe that this object or person will fill us up.
It is so subtle, and we are so susceptible.
The real shift happens when we stop chasing illusions and start recognising that happiness doesn’t come from external gains, but rather from understanding the truth about who we really are.
What do you think?
I had an amazing time on this one Meredith. You have the power of storytelling at your fingertips and i mostly enjoyed that used traditional characters.
There is so much to see in life if only we could pause and see them right around us not so far ahead
I'm Ral and it’s so amazing meeting you today and I wanna be a part of your world
I love everything about this Meredith🤍the story, and the message are beautifully told. Our perception shapes our reality; and if we can't find happiness within, we'll always be looking. 🤠🤙 Happy Writing!