What does a person truly need?  What is a person longing for in this world? 

What is it that they are constantly searching for?

There is one thing that people always desire: peace. 

Peace in their disposition, peace in daily activities, mental peace, and peace in relationships.

Let me clarify — I am not talking about happiness. There is a difference between happiness and peace.

Happiness can be found in various things and is often temporary.

For example, if you’re extremely hungry and go to a beautiful place to eat delicious food, that experience may bring you happiness but not peace.

Peace, on the other hand, is long-term. It doesn’t depend on your mood or circumstances.

Most people in the world seek happiness, but in reality, their need is for peace, not happiness.

When a person understands the reality of something, reflects on it, and contemplates deeply, it brings them peace.

For example, if you know your budget and decide never to spend beyond it, even when you see expensive items at the mall, you won’t feel tempted to buy them. Planning your finances in advance can give you peace of mind.

In my opinion, humans have always been in search of peace, but they often chase happiness.

For some, happiness is found in expensive and delicious food; for others, it’s in living in luxurious homes, wearing beautiful clothes, traveling, partying, or spending time with favourite things or pets they love.

But peace…

Where does peace lie?

Peace comes from understanding yourself, seeking reality, learning from the lives of great people, understanding others, sitting in open spaces to ponder the universe, or reflecting while watching the setting sun.

As a Muslim, I would like to quote a verse from the Quran:

Surely in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find comfort.

The purpose of this verse is also to convey that the ultimate goal of life is to connect with Allah. Its path is straight, and true peace lies in turning towards Him.

When Peace Becomes Happiness

However, there comes a point where a person’s peace becomes their happiness.

Let me explain this with an example.

Have you ever seen people eating salads or following a healthy diet with great enthusiasm, even when those foods don’t taste as good?

These are people who understand the benefits of such food. They have knowledge and awareness that this is what’s best for their health.  

Gradually, even less flavorful foods start to taste good to them. Those same foods become enjoyable. Then, if they eat unhealthy, oily food, they find it unappealing and unenjoyable.

While a person can live like animals, carefree and self-indulgent, but can we truly call that person a fulfilled human being?

The point is that humans are often unaware, and the journey from ignorance

 to understanding is what makes life beautiful.

What Makes Peace Long-Lasting?

Simplicity

Accepting that less is more. Peace thrives in simplicity, not clutter.

The more I have, the less I am.

Control Over Reactions

 Peace isn’t about avoiding problems but controlling

 your reactions to them.

Alignment with Values

Living a life true to your principles brings lasting

contentment.

Searching for What Matters

There is a difference between merely surviving and truly living. That difference is what we must search for. 

When the soul lies down in that grass, the world is too full to talk about.

                                                                                                                           – Rumi