Rearranging the Inside: Ask the Right Questions for Fulfillment

There have been many instances in my life—especially when I was in mid-career—when I found myself chasing long-lasting happiness outside. I’d convince myself that a new car, a better job, or traveling to places would finally bring me that elusive sense of peace. And even now, after what I like to call a ‘mature manifestation,’ I still catch myself thinking that happiness can be found by rearranging the world around me.

Most of the times, we all don’t feel entirely comfortable inside, do we? Often, we find ourselves saying (internally), “I am trying to feel better by doing this or that…” But how often do we really stop to ask ourselves the right question:

“Why am I not feeling better inside? What is it that I need to re-arrange within myself to make things better?” Instead, we default to asking, “What external change will make me feel better?” Maybe, just maybe, the first step in feeling better is learning to ask the right kind of question to ourselves—one that directs us inward rather than outward.

This reminds me of a humorous story about a man who lost his coin inside his house but was out searching for it under a bright streetlight. One night, a passerby saw the man frantically looking around on the road and asked, “What are you searching for?”

“My coin,” the man replied.

“Where did you lose it?” the passerby asked.

“I lost it inside my room,” the man said confidently.

“Then why are you looking out here?” the passerby asked, bewildered.

“Because there’s more light here,” the man said.

As funny as this may sound, isn’t this what many of us do when we search for happiness? We’ve lost it somewhere deep within, yet we look for it outside, where it seems easier or more promising. But true happiness can’t be found in the bright, well-lit areas of material success, status, or external validation. It’s about turning our attention inward. All these help us boost our temporary satisfaction for some time.

Lasting happiness and fulfillment come when we take the time to ask ourselves these deeper questions. It’s not about constantly adjusting the world around us, but about creating harmony within ourselves by understanding our values and purpose.

It’s like treating a fever—you don’t solve the problem by changing the room’s temperature; you treat it by working on the internal root cause. Similarly, the source of happiness lies within. By shifting our focus inward, we can begin the real work of aligning ourselves with what truly matters.

I’m on this journey, too—gradually, step by step. The more I turn inward, the more clarity I gain about what brings me lasting joy and fulfillment. Feel free to reach out if this resonates with you and you’re curious to explore this journey of inner discovery. I’d be happy to share and learn together.

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