Top 10 Essays on Happiness

Don’t build a house that’s too large! While everyone desires a grand home to impress friends and family, don’t push beyond your means. A neat and cozy home is more than enough, as long as it suits your circumstances.

Don’t give away all your wealth to your children. If you raise one who lacks responsibility and financial sense, even vast riches will quickly vanish. It’s more important to teach them how to be independent and provide them with the tools for self-sufficiency. Always save something for your old age so you won’t be dependent on your children.

Don’t let your ego become inflated—it will only bring you pain. All discomfort and unrest come from an inflated sense of self. Respect is better than idolizing others. A fully ripe ear of rice bows its head; humility is the true height of wisdom.

Don’t be greedy! Greed leads to regret. Don’t over-calculate or you’ll become selfish and petty, sometimes even missing opportunities. Live simply and with peace in mind. Excessive calculations will bring only anxiety and sorrow, with no real gain.

Don’t blindly worship idols or hold onto prejudices. Every profession has both good and bad people. No one is perfect—learn to live with compassion and understanding toward others.

Don’t love excessively or obsessively, as it may cause you to lose yourself. True happiness is found in loving and being loved in return. Love must be built on trust—not blind jealousy or detachment. Like cooking, love needs balance—don’t over-season, don’t under-season. Finding the right blend makes all the difference.

Don’t speak too much! Even a mild drink can cause intoxication if consumed in excess. A wise person doesn’t speak too much, even if their words are valuable. Speak when necessary, and remain silent when unsure. A foolish person talks too much, and their words can either bring blessings or misfortune.

In life, too much of anything is harmful. True happiness comes from knowing when to be content with what you have. Recognize your limits—don’t push yourself beyond what you’re capable of.

In the end, learning to be a better person is a lifelong journey. No one ever graduates from this school. The goal is simple: to become a better version of yourself each day!

Collected

Joy in life has its limits. Sometimes we may feel happy, but others around us may be sad. We may laugh now, but someone else might cry. Happiness often comes down to our mindset and our ability to think positively.

Today we may succeed, but tomorrow we could face failure. Right now, we might feel happiness, but the future could bring suffering. This is the paradox of life – its dual nature.

How can we maintain joy in life, no matter the challenges? How can we face everything with a positive attitude?

Life is not always as we expect. It's not always easy or perfect. The key is to embrace life and enjoy every moment, despite its ups and downs. Life is rich with joy, sorrow, happiness, pain, tears, and laughter. Only by experiencing them all can we truly live a full life.

Life is shorter than we think. Time passes quickly, and before we realize it, we grow old. It's important to understand life's truths so we can find peace within ourselves.

The purpose of life is to seek happiness. Happiness is everyone's dream, and it is something we create for ourselves. It is a feeling that originates from within. Those who understand life learn to appreciate and make the most of what they have with positive effort, giving their life meaning.

Throughout history, money has been viewed as a valuable asset, as it is the result of hard work. But money is not everything. In youth, we earn money to prepare for the future. As we age and our health declines, we use money to enhance our quality of life and enjoy the rewards of our efforts.

We must work hard to earn money and spend it wisely, ensuring we control it instead of being controlled by it. Money is essential, but we shouldn't chase it at all costs.

Money serves us, but it is external to us. We can't take it with us when we die. There are times when money cannot buy health, happiness, or peace of mind.

Happiness comes when we open our hearts to ourselves, cultivate good habits, and take joy in helping others. Happiness is found in doing good and living a meaningful life.

Life follows the cycle of birth, aging, illness, and death. Each day is a gift—live it with positivity, for that is true happiness!

Khánh Phương

Every morning when I wake up, I always ask myself, "Am I truly happy with the life I have chosen?" Happiness seems so elusive. Sometimes I feel like an unfortunate person, while other times, I feel like the luckiest one. I search for the answer to this question: What is happiness? Is it something far away, something unattainable? Or is it that humans are always ambitious, constantly striving for greatness, never fully knowing if they've reached true happiness or not? I am deeply moved by the saying: "Happiness is not found far away, it is right in your heart."

"Being born is happiness because it means you can experience all the facets of life; dying is happiness because you have left behind the complexity of the world and returned to nature. Having friends is happiness because you share both joy and sorrow with them. Solitude is happiness too, for it gives you peace and cleanses your soul. Everything going smoothly is happiness because you are receiving the gifts from life; facing hardships is also happiness, because in your struggles, you feel your own strength. Being loved is happiness, no matter where or when, as you are cared for and cherished. Loving someone is happiness as well, because you have someone to return to. Wealth is happiness, as it satisfies material needs; poverty is also happiness, for it reminds you that life holds so many other valuable things beyond money. Being exceptional is happiness, the feeling of being admired and respected, having everything within your grasp. Living an ordinary life is happiness too, as it brings a sense of peace, enjoying every sunrise, every sunset. Youth is happiness, filled with endless possibilities and hope; old age is happiness as well, with rich life experiences and memories to cherish. Meeting someone special is happiness, nurturing sweet moments together; parting is happiness too, for the pain of separation strengthens the bond between you."

Happiness or unhappiness depends on how you perceive it. Some say, "I am happy because I am wealthy and admired by others." Others say, "I am happy because I have a peaceful family." As for me, I find happiness in peace. My peace is being content with my life, even though there are still many challenges. My peace is enjoying life in my own way. My peace is seeing my family and loved ones happy. My peace is having someone to love and walk with me through life. This is my peace. In this chaotic world, have you ever taken the time to listen to your heart and understand what true happiness really means?

I thank life for showing me what happiness is. Every morning, I breathe in fresh air, see the sunlight through my eyes, hear the birds singing, watch the sunrise, and enjoy the sunset. I feel the peace of life. I thank the challenges that have made me grow stronger. I thank those who have hurt my heart, for they have made me more resilient in life. I thank the moments of glory that keep me moving forward. I thank life for teaching me love, anger, and the yearning to wait for someone. I thank all the simple things I once took for granted. I didn't appreciate them at the time, sometimes even resented them. But now I realize, cooking a meal for my family and having them praise it brings me immense joy, or sitting by the fire on a winter day fills my heart with warmth. Perhaps I was too young to appreciate peace. I love everything around me.

Whether you are wealthy or poor, extraordinary or ordinary, you have your own happiness. Learn to cherish the seemingly simple things in life, for if you lose them, you will regret it deeply. Life is an experience, whether joyful or sorrowful, peaceful or turbulent, we must believe that happiness awaits us, whether it is the small happiness in our everyday life or the greater happiness that lies ahead. The world may be full of storms, but I only desire peace. If someone were to ask me if I am happy, I would say: I am happy. Even if I am not admired or respected, I am happy with the things I do and how I perceive this life. What about you?

Ngoc Nguyen

What if we stop talking about happiness?

We've both come a long way. If you understand what I mean, we've grown apart in both time and space, with no empty space left where we could be alone.

Because now, we each have our own world, free from the love that once revolved around two young people who didn't understand each other much, didn't understand life, or the inevitable changes that would eventually appear, pushing us into deeper cycles.

That's freedom. You no longer have to worry about someone's health next to you, nor wonder if that person hasn't sent a message to check in for three days. And I don't have to worry about the other person's feelings when work starts piling up and pushing me to rush.

We are no longer children, carefree and without worries.

We are no longer at that age where happiness is an assumption, where we are always happy, always joyful, and have time for each other. Do you realize that happiness is a word for adults?

Because children never ask each other if they are happy. They easily find joy anywhere—whether it's a rainy afternoon with droplets on the ground, a cricket leaning on a blade of grass, or a flock of birds sitting on the rooftop making a clattering sound.

But we, surely, have stopped looking for happiness from the outside and only wish for it from the people around us. Are you happy? Are you really joyful, truly free?

If you are, I will be happy too. On our journey away from youth, we leave behind so many things, including the small happiness we once had as children. The earth is already halfway through the year, but I have yet to close the chapter on my longing for you inside me.

I haven't ended the sadness when I see the water droplets break, or hear the clattering sound on the rooftop that never stops echoing.

It feels like a farewell, like the end of something to come.

Minh Tuấn

"No matter how far you go,
Don't forget the smoke rising from the kitchen of our countryside home."

How could I ever forget the place where I was born? How could I forget the fields of my hometown, where the rice plants sway in the breeze, singing their quiet song? I remember how, every evening, my mother would light the stove, and the smoke would curl up into the sky. I can never forget those warm family dinners, with my parents and all six siblings gathered around the table. The meals may have been simple—just pickled vegetables, rice, and squash from our garden—but they were full of flavor and love. Even now, I still cherish those moments, still remember them fondly.

Back then, we lived in a thatched house, small but always organized. Every meal was served at the most important space in the house. The old aluminum tray was our most treasured possession, a gift from my grandparents when my parents set up their own home. We didn't have clocks, so we kept time by the position of the sun. When the sunlight was almost directly overhead, it was time for dinner. The older ones would carry the rice pot, the others would bring the soup, and I would grab the jar of pickled vegetables that my mother prepared. We would all gather around and sit down together to share a meal.

Although we didn't have much, we maintained good habits, always waiting for everyone to be there before we began. If my parents went to the market and came back late, there would always be some food set aside for them. My father taught us to respect each other and always eat together. He taught us the values of "learning how to eat, speak, wrap, and open." Family meals were not just about nourishment; they were also a time for life lessons, teaching us moral values and how to treat others, becoming a vital part of our family culture.

I still remember the golden afternoons when my mother would bring home some meat and tofu from the market. The smell of onions and pork fat frying was so tempting that we couldn't resist going in and out of the kitchen, eagerly waiting for the meal. When dinner was served, my mother would serve food to my father first and then distribute portions to us. She never took any for herself. My father, in turn, would place his portion into my mother’s bowl. We all happily ate, filling the room with warmth and laughter.

Sometimes, the pickled vegetables would get too sour, so my mother would fry them in pork fat. The eggplant would turn dark and crispy. My mother would joke that tonight we were having dried beef. My younger siblings would clap their hands, laughing with joy. Such small, simple pleasures—how I wish I could find them again somewhere in life!

Occasionally, when my father's friends came over, they would stay for dinner. My father would invite them to join us. My mother, ever the gracious host, would prepare two sets of meals: one for the guests on the bed, and the family would eat in the kitchen. The meal for the guests was simple—just a plate of scrambled eggs, roasted peanuts, and a small bowl of fresh herbs. My younger siblings always wanted to sit next to my father, but my mother would have to coax them into sitting quietly. My father had a habit of "saving face" and would often eat very little when guests were around, leaving the best portions for us, his children, once the guests had finished.

One evening, when it was time for dinner but my parents were still busy with work, my siblings and I sat around the table, waiting for them. My eldest sister gently told us, "Eat a little, save some for mom and dad. We’re out of rice, and they’ll need it for tomorrow." My father overheard and told my sister not to say such things. "The younger ones must eat more to grow strong," he said. That evening, each of us only ate a small portion. My parents, however, insisted we eat more, though they looked content. I could have sworn I saw my mother’s eyes glisten with tears as we ate. That night, my father stayed up late with his pipe, unable to sleep.

Now, life has improved, and our family no longer has to worry about whether we will have enough food. But the traditions and memories of our old home are forever etched in my heart. I treasure every moment we are together as a family. I now understand that happiness doesn't have to be found far away—it’s in the simple family meals. I finally realize why those humble meals tasted so good: they were cooked with love and care for each member of the family, seasoned with the spice of affection.

Lê Thị Ngọc Lan

It's been a long time since I had the chance to reunite with my college friends after ten years since graduation. We sat together, discussing and sharing our views on happiness. Some praised and admired others for having a better life, while they felt unlucky and burdened by misfortune… But how do we really define complete, perfect, and fulfilled happiness when each of us has a different perspective on what happiness truly means?

If we break it down, happiness can be understood as an emotional state that arises when a certain need is fulfilled, an abstract need. It's a concept rooted in the mental and emotional aspects of life. And with this in mind, everyone pursues happiness in their own way. Some believe having wealth brings the greatest happiness, others think that being valued and loved by others is what matters most. Some feel that simply doing what they love is enough to be happy...

Over the years, I've witnessed many different forms of happiness around me. Ultimately, happiness depends on a person’s circumstances and living conditions. For some, happiness lies in the small moments within a modest family—where a wife and mother, despite financial struggles, finds joy in a loving husband, a supportive mother-in-law, and well-behaved, filial children. For others, it’s the radiant smile of someone who does good for others, a life dedicated to kindness and helping others without expecting anything in return. For some, happiness comes from the daily struggles in life. Every day, they work hard, strive, and contribute, realizing the deeper meaning of life, cherishing the past, and looking forward to the future.

Perhaps because I grew up in a poor family, happiness has always seemed simple to me. It's the days when I would come home from school and my mother would give me a steaming bowl of white rice wrapped in warm blankets during winter. It’s when exams came, and my mother would hand me a cup of sweet green bean tea to encourage me through tough times. It’s the birthday when my husband cooked a “sumptuous” meal for me, even though the food wasn’t perfectly presented. It's the days when I had my first child, and he stayed up all night comforting the baby so I could rest peacefully. His warm smile and loving words made me feel so blessed. Later, when our children grew up, although we were still renting, after work, the sound of laughter and conversation from all family members coming together to share time was what turned our house into a loving home.

Sometimes, happiness is simply the little things that are so close to us. Yet, we often forget them or get so caught up in the search for something more.

An Viên

This March, we celebrate a day called 'Happiness Day.' After enduring the difficulties and frustrations of the past year, we find ourselves navigating the second wave of the pandemic. Life after the pandemic feels like a 'new normal.' This is a fresh concept that we hear about often these days, but how do we live this new normal and still find happiness? The question lingers in our minds, leaving us perplexed and uncertain.

Our world has changed drastically since the virus spread globally. Its infiltration disrupted our lives, breaking our routines, our peace, our happiness, and our simple joys. Things we once took for granted—meeting friends, having conversations, enjoying a cup of coffee, traveling—have become difficult to achieve. I remember the first days of March when children returned to school after a long break due to the pandemic. Children were excited, adults were relieved, the sound of horns honking, people calling out to one another, and the joyful tunes from the school next door filled the air. Simple sounds like these, which we had not heard in a long time, felt so precious. Life slowly returned to its new rhythm. It’s only when the most ordinary things are disrupted that we truly realize the vastness of happiness found in the simplest, most everyday moments. We can only hope to preserve that peace and happiness.

Some mornings, the air is cool, and my soul feels incredibly peaceful, light, and relaxed. There’s a serenity amidst the chaos, in the rhythms of life still flowing outside, amidst the changes in routines and daily habits. Suddenly, I’ve come to appreciate the importance of slowing down and cherishing the small things in life. I sleep earlier, wake up earlier, and eat more mindfully, no longer rushing through hasty breakfasts or quick lunches. I exercise more, read daily. Books that I once struggled with, I now read effortlessly, as though rediscovering the joy of reading that I had when I was younger. I’ve taken up gardening, planting flowers on the rooftop, playing with my children, cutting down on screen time, and finding joy in simple tasks like cleaning the house, going to the market, cooking, and walking. Focusing on each small act makes every day feel meaningful and happy, even if nothing extraordinary happens.

On the streets, I see more and more couples radiating happiness. Spring, the season of love, fills the air with romance. This particular spring, amidst the 'new normal,' brings a different, unique sense of joy. Though many of the traditional rituals have been simplified, nothing can dim the brightness of the happiness on their faces. A new beginning, a new journey. Along the way to happiness, there will be challenges, moments of joy and sorrow, passionate highs and fading lows. But no matter what, we will carry the longing for love in our hearts, leading us back to the beloved home and the laughter of children...

The nights fall faster, yet seem longer now.

The dinners in our warm, small apartment feel peaceful, tranquil. Happiness is felt more deeply in moments of contentment. Life becomes simpler when we learn to be satisfied with less. Excessive desires only rob us of the simple joys of life. Sometimes, that simplicity isn’t easy for everyone to accept. I once read a quote that said, 'There’s no path to happiness. Happiness is the path.' Happiness is the journey, not the destination. No moment is as precious as the present. So, we must treasure and enjoy every second of happiness we are given.

The noisy world outside pulls people into its endless rush. In the current flow, does anyone feel truly lonely? But there is no loneliness when you are in the warmth of your own home. Spring brings love and fulfillment. Happiness comes to those who can recognize its beauty. Open your heart to the morning sunlight, and we will walk through the sweet memories of spring, embracing happiness and peace along the way.

Yến Minh

It seems that everyone in life is in pursuit of their own happiness, in one way or another. Is happiness found in wealth, in success? Is it in simple moments, or is peace the true essence of happiness? After all, everyone desires a happy life.

For me, happiness as a child was those afternoons after school, especially when we got to leave early due to a break, when a few friends and I pooled together just enough money to buy some peanuts to share. Each of us would nibble a small piece to make it last longer, and yet, it was the sweetest thing.

I didn’t want to swallow that candy too quickly, I wanted to savor the sweetness as it melted slowly in my mouth...

Happiness for me was also the times when my mother would take me out for a bowl of clam porridge on cold winter weekends. The warmth of the porridge, the sweetness of the clams, the sharpness of the onions, the fragrance of herbs, and the spicy kick of pepper filled my senses as the cold wind howled around, adding a perfect touch to the experience. How could something taste so divine during such a cold winter?

But now, when I think back, I realize that happiness is really quite simple, so simple it makes me question its true nature. Happiness could be a warm meal on a cold winter day, or sharing a peanut candy with friends when we’re hungry.

I believe happiness is an abstract concept, a deeply personal experience. That’s why we can’t use our own happiness to measure someone else’s. Nor should we think we are happier than others just because they are poorer or have lower social status. True happiness in any relationship depends on kindness and sincerity. If we’re rich but constantly battling stress, it might be better to live modestly and peacefully. Then we would understand that happiness isn’t about how much we have, but rather how content we are with what we have. Time passes quickly, and as we grow older, our understanding of happiness evolves.

For me, happiness is taking my children to the park. My three-year-old daughter points at the wildflowers in the grass, exclaiming, 'Daddy, look! One flower… two flowers… so many flowers!' She picks them and places them in my hands, saying, 'Aren’t they beautiful, daddy?' I look into her bright eyes, her smile full of joy, and I feel true happiness. My children are the angels, the little spring of my life.

When my daughter turned six, we were walking near home when she suddenly let go of my hand, ran to a patch of grass, and shouted, 'Daddy, look at this flower, it’s so pretty!' She handed me a tiny purple flower, saying, 'It’s small but beautiful, don’t you think, daddy?' I took the flower and looked into her eyes, realizing she saw herself reflected in them. She smiled, 'I see me in your eyes, daddy.' I kissed her and said, 'When people truly love each other and are truly happy, they can see themselves in each other’s eyes.' She smiled with wonder, and I saw the warmth of the sun in her brown eyes, even though the sky was overcast.

My daughter loves picking flowers for us. Every time we go out, she gathers flowers from the roadside, especially tiny wildflowers like the ones she gave me that day.

Happiness is often found in the simple, everyday moments. Many search for happiness in distant or extraordinary places, but they don’t realize that there’s no specific path to happiness. Happiness is the journey we’re on, and if we can feel it, we are already happy. It’s when we learn to appreciate the little things that happiness truly reveals itself.

For me, just being alive, breathing the air in this world, is happiness. This is my happiness.

I’ve smiled with life.

20/3/2022
Lê Minh

Many people deceive themselves into believing that happiness lies in distant, dreamy, and unreachable places. The truth is, happiness is not far away; it resides in the simple, everyday moments around us, unnoticed until we take the time to recognize it.

Everyone’s idea of happiness is different. For me, it often comes from the small, familiar things. Sometimes, a late-night phone call, a warm meal at the end of a long day, or the warmth of a hand holding yours can transform a tiring day into something special. These sweet moments come quietly into our lives, like soft breaths, but without them, our hearts would not know peace.

Have you ever stopped to think about the happiness you felt from the smile of a loved one? Or the joy of planting a flower, watching it bloom? Or waking up to the morning sunlight and greeting the new day with a cheerful heart? These little, everyday pleasures add up, forming memories that fill us with warmth and happiness. Not everyone has the same kind of happiness, and often we overlook the happiness we have, not realizing that for someone else, it might be their greatest dream.

Many people believe happiness is found only when we achieve our dreams or reach the highest aspirations, things that seem beyond our grasp. But have you ever thought about what it would feel like if, after achieving all your dreams, you looked around and found no familiar faces? Would that not bring a sense of loneliness?

We should cherish the simple happiness right in front of us. Money or material wealth cannot replace the presence of a true friend or the health of our parents. No one can truly be happy alone, because, in the end, happiness lies in the love shared by those around us. The love we give is the love we receive. The more you give, the more you get in return. When we share these simple, everyday acts of kindness, the happiness we receive will fill our hearts with warmth and bring a smile to our faces.

Before you search for happiness far beyond your reach, learn to hold on to the simple joys around you. Preserve those pure emotions, as they will provide the strength and energy you need. And one day, you will realize that happiness was simple all along...

You might be surprised to realize how many people say 'tomorrow.' But what exactly is tomorrow? It’s a time that always seems to exist in the future, never the present.

We work tirelessly all day, often even through the night, simply because we believe that tomorrow will bring us more happiness than today. Tomorrow will have this, tomorrow will bring that. And tomorrow will be the day of happiness.

But you will keep delaying your true happiness until you realize: the present moment is all you truly have.

No one can predict the future. Everything is contained in the now, in your hands and your heart.

You can learn to embrace the present, and shape it in the most positive way you know how. This is what living with purpose means. Soon, you’ll find that the journey itself holds more surprises than you ever imagined. The destination no longer seems as important. What matters is how much you’ve learned along the way, and what you’ve discovered through your own journey.

When you stop waiting for the future, when you no longer label the world as right or wrong, good or bad, gain or loss, then you will truly find happiness in the present.

Source: phatdaovothuong