When we are struggling to succeed and face set back after set back it can feel as though there is no correct formula to achieve happiness. This feeling only rises because of a lack of understanding not because it is actually true.
For example, a person who doesn’t know how to properly care for a plant may get frustrated that all the things he is doing do not make it grow but if he has neglected to water it, the problem is his ignorance of this requirement, not that growing plants is impossible.
How does this relate to real life? The problem we face generally is that we do not know for certain the correct formula to become happy. Just like when we water a plant, in the beginning it is difficult to determine if it is working. We need to be patient and wait for the plant to grow. If we are doing the right things, the plant will surely respond.
Similarly, it is possible to become happy in our daily lives. When the mind is in the present moment, we automatically have to let go of our regrets, desires and fears. When we are truly mindful, those distractions do not exist and we are free to pay attention to what is happening right now.
The formula for becoming happy is subtle but by no means is it out of reach for the average person. We can begin the process of happiness by making the decision to learn how to practice insight meditation. This requires some effort but it pays off. When we direct our time and resources towards training in mindfulness, it is like we are working in an open field and tending it into a beautiful garden.