Over the span of years, I have met many people who are constantly chasing Happiness. Some people make their Happiness dependent on specific actions, while others make it conditional on particular objects. But many people live their whole lives thinking that Happiness, "the state of feeling", is the ultimate goal of life. If you are not happy, then you are not fulfilled. But a lot of these people are worried about temporary Happiness. It's almost like living your life on the edge for the thrill of Happiness. Nothing wrong with that, but "happiness" shouldn't be precisely the goal of your life.
You see, pursuing Happiness leads you to a dead end. It's just an emotion. And we as humans have a lot of emotions. If someone is going through a rough time in life and someone starts telling them to "Be Happy", we are technically proposing that something is wrong with their current conditions. In reality, it's practically impossible to be happy at all times. In fact, Happiness will lose its value if we are happy at all times. The rough times in life are there for a reason. They show us the value of the other good times and teach us many lessons. Let's take another example: A person who has been jobless for months gets a new job. The job is way too overwhelming and stressful for him. He's not exactly happy at the moment because of his job, but he's grateful even to have a job in the bigger picture. But does this mean he's not happy with his life? NO.
Happiness is an effect of Purpose and Meaning
Happiness should never be a goal in life. It's another way of describing disappointment. Because let's say there is this major exam you are trying to clear. You are putting all your happiness eggs in the exam results basket. Even if you pass it and are still unhappy with life, you will be disappointed for wasting all that time preparing for the exam just to be upset about it. A life where you live on the edge and always wait for the next best thing is not a very fulfilled life. It's an addiction, and every addiction has side effects.
You can't pursue Happiness alone. You pursue Purpose which breeds Happiness.
Secret Unlocked
Purpose = Happiness. This is where you find your ultimate Happiness. Knowing why you are where you are and what you are doing is where you find fulfillment and eventually Happiness. Learn to love every emotion. Your journey and purpose are what will make you proud of yourself and not those LV bags. You are on the right path if you give your one percent every day to pursue your goals and dreams. Those "bad days" are the self-defining moments in your personal book. They are the ones that make you stronger and differentiate your story from everyone else.
Imagine watching Disney movies where all you see are happy moments throughout the entire movie. I would never. The emotional/sad moments make us want to stick to the movie's end to find the ultimate happy ending. So if you are having a bad day, it's not exactly a bad day; it's just an emotion and part of your life story.
I Am Afraid of Happy Days
If I'm being honest with you, I'm afraid of good days. Especially when I'm too happy, I'm always scared something might go wrong. I always feel very stiff on celebratory days because my fight or flight response is waiting for the next bad thing to happen to me. But that's okay because that is what's going to make me unique from other people. I never chose Happiness over purpose because I knew how temporary it was. One moment you are happy, and the next moment you are balling like a baby (sometimes a sugar rush). Every time I make the smallest decision, I look at how it will benefit me in the long term and never just in the moment.
Don't Worry About It
If you aren't exactly the definition of "happy" right now, don't worry about it. You are on the right track as long as you progress toward your goals. Don't be a happiness junky and chase it throughout your life. Follow your dreams and passions and watch how Happiness creeps up on you.
Until next time, Peace🌙
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