I spend a lot of time thinking and writing about happiness. It’s a desirable component of life and something we all want. But pursuing happiness just isn’t the right approach.
Let it be
Think of happiness like steam rising off something hot. If you move your hand toward it and try to grasp it, it disperses. If you do nothing at all, it shall surround you.
Steam is an excellent metaphor for happiness. If you’re always in chase mode, happiness will be elusive. Whereas if you calmly settle in, it will be all around you.
Reaching out and trying to grab happiness can be reflexive, but learning to transcend this instinct will be most beneficial.
It seems logical that you must act for happiness to be yours. To go do something that will bring you closer to it. But it’s more of a mental action.
The real key to happiness is to harmonize your mindset and perspective with it rather than trying to harmonize your achievements with it.
This can be a challenging perceptual shift, so let me dive a bit deeper into the origins of happiness.
What happiness isn’t
Happiness isn’t about status and materialism. Often, these things may enrich your life in some way. But it’s fleeting, and your appreciation for new and shiny things dulls as you get used to them being yours.
Constant chasing of more money, more fame, and more possessions is both draining and happiness-robbing. Doing things to support your ego will never be fulfilling.
People deceive themselves into thinking that happiness will be theirs if they could just get to the next level in life. Stop outsourcing your happiness!
What happiness is
Happiness is an appreciation for the journey along the way to a fulfilling goal.
First, enjoy the journey. It’s cliche but also multi-dimensional. It’s not just about finding silver linings and stopping to smell the roses. While I urge you to do that, notice the spiritual side here.
If you’re going after goals that benefit the world and yourself on a deeper level than just making you look cool, then your efforts will take you to places you can’t foresee.
Go along for the ride, embrace the unexpected, and do everything with complete acceptance of what you are met with. Doing so is the way to choose happiness.
And this happiness is sustainably yours.
Stop pursuing happiness
Happiness exists in abundance all around you. You can find it in the calmness of the present, the small victories and lessons woven into daily life, and the perspective that true joy is about relishing the moment instead of overvaluing a future ideal.
The version of success that society makes you think is necessary for happiness is flashy, but it’s completely misaligned. The most important achievements in any person’s life occur within their mind!
Don’t be fooled into thinking that happiness will be yours when you do x, get y, or become z. It’s yours now if you just let it be.
So let it be!
Thank you so much for reading! Please share with others who may benefit! 🙂
