What does happiness really mean? Is it the fun we post online, the attention we get at parties, or the money we earn? 🎉💸
For years, Sheikha M. mastered the art of pretending to be happy. Living in a society where emotional pain was taboo, she hid her inner struggles behind smiles, social gatherings, and success.
On the outside, she was the life of the party. But on the inside, she was silently battling anxiety, emptiness, and emotional exhaustion. She longed for something more—a permanent happiness that couldn’t be taken away by circumstance.
🌿 That moment of change came when she stumbled upon a website that simply said: “Cleanse your mind.” It led her to this meditation, and the teachings of Master Woo Myung—and everything changed.
🧘♀️ Through discarding the false mind filled with pressure, fear, and expectations, Sheikha finally embraced her true self. The transformation she shares is not only honest and moving, but a real-life proof that permanent happiness is possible.
💬 Testimonial: Temporary Happiness vs Permanent Happiness
By Sheikha M.
I grew up in an African society where discussing mental health was considered taboo. In those days, very few people understood what depression truly was. Those who suffered from it — like my mother — were often misunderstood and even believed to be possessed.
Watching society ignore and dismiss my mother deeply affected me.
Because of that experience, I became determined to appear “normal” and happy at all times.
I constantly tried to project an image of happiness.
I smiled all the time.
I went clubbing with large groups of friends on weekends.
I talked about movies, trends, and entertainment.
I made people laugh and acted cheerful around others.
And on days when I was too emotionally exhausted to put on that performance, I kept myself excessively busy with work or responsibilities at home so that I would not have to face my own feelings.
But no matter how much money I earned, how many things I bought, how many people I dated, or how socially active I appeared, none of it brought lasting fulfillment.
The happiness was always temporary.
Inside, I still felt empty.
Something important was missing from my life.
Deep in my heart, I longed for a happiness that would not disappear — a lasting and genuine happiness.
The truth was that although I appeared to be the fun and outgoing person everyone enjoyed being around, internally I felt lost.
I became upset easily over small things.
I felt emotionally empty despite constantly surrounding myself with people, activities, dinners, and entertainment.
When life did not go my way, I felt betrayed and blamed others.
And my mind was constantly overwhelmed by endless thoughts.
Eventually, I realized something painful but honest:
Deep down, I was not so different from my mother.
I was empty inside too.
The only difference was that I had become better at hiding it.
At that point, I decided I no longer wanted to pretend. I no longer wanted to simply appear happy — I wanted to genuinely experience true happiness.
Then one day, I came across a website with a message that deeply moved me:
“Cleanse your mind.”
That message eventually led me to a meditation center.
Through meditation, I gradually began letting go of the pressure to fit in, to appear happy, to seek temporary highs, and to constantly chase external validation.
I still spend time with friends and enjoy life, but I no longer depend on those things to fill the emptiness within me.
Through meditation, I learned how to truly embrace myself.
And honestly, it has completely changed my life.
I feel mentally stronger, more aware, and naturally more positive — not because I force myself to think positively, but because my mind itself has become lighter and clearer.
Most importantly, I discovered that the happiness I had been searching for was already within me.
It was my true self.
Now, I can genuinely enjoy each moment of life as it comes.
There is something incredibly beautiful about simply breathing without constant stress, worry, pressure, or emotional pain.
For the first time in my life, I can sincerely say:
I am truly happy now.
