What is the purpose of life? “The purpose of life is to be happy,” wrote the Dalai Lama. But what does it really mean to be happy. Is the sole purpose of life merely for maximizing our happiness? No doubt, it is a tricky question as its answer depends upon individuals and that too varies in different social, economic and psychological conditions.

However, scientists claim to have decoded the myth of happiness. “Happy people tend to talk more than unhappy people, but when they do, it tends to be less small talk and more substance,” according to a new study done by a group of psychologists from the University of Arizona and Washington University.

I am not sure whether happy people tend to talk more than the unhappy or vice versa but talking certainly helps. If you are depressed and sad then follow my advice and begin “a talking plan.” Make it a habit to talk with someone everyday. When you are self-centered and only think of yourself all the time, you get that sapped feeling, as though all the passion has gone out of your life. The remedy is, of course, to get away from yourself. But that is not an easy job in today’s world.

Nonetheless, the best way to get away from yourself is to take interest in other people and their activities. It is not necessary to talk with everyone in the neighborhood, or to pick up your phone and call your friends and drop in at their place for a chat. This may not be practical for you. But you can find interest in other people in your own little way, without any effort at all. All you need to do is understand the difference your simple hello can make in their life and their hello in your life.

Probably, there is a friend you know to whom you have not e-mailed for a long time. By e-mailing that friend, you reach outside yourself. And probably, there is a relative you know, that you have not visited for a long time. By visiting that relative, you reach outside yourself. “No tree bears fruits for its own use,” said Martin Luther. Whatever good we have in us we must share it with others. Remember, there are so many gifts we can give to the world absolutely free and likewise, there are so many gifts we can take from the world absolutely free. I propose that we implement the talking plan and witness a remarkable transformation from darkness to the light. We all deserve to be happy, don’t we?