The Pursuit is Happiness
"Vivere militare est" - To live is to fight - Seneca
There is an important difference between being comfortable and being happy. Unfortunately, most of us make the mistake of using the word "happy" to describe comfort and convenience rather than fulfillment. We believe that a nicer house, a different job, a bigger closet, better weather, a better car, or nicer clothes would help us be happier. In reality, most of our wants only help us be more comfortable or add a little more convenience to our daily routine.
Many people have convinced themselves that they are happiest when things are easiest. If you believe this you are heading for disaster! Expecting life to get easier and happier as time goes on or as you achieve X, Y, and Z will inevitably disappoint you!
This is because our lives will ALWAYS be filled with struggle no matter how "comfortable" we believe we are or will one day be. Once you get that brand new house, your dishwasher might break or the roof will leak. If you win the lottery your relationships may fall apart. By focusing on comfort and convenience you are simply replacing your old problems with newer, shinier ones. Comfort is never satisfied. We can always be more comfortable. We can always work to have more: bigger yards, luxury cars, faster smart phones. If we are focused only on how comfortable we are or how convenient our life is, we will always want something we don't have. Therefore, we will always be unhappy.
In today's struggle for existence, wellbeing, and satisfaction remember this difference. Are you working towards comfort or happiness? Happiness is always satisfied. Happiness does not want what it doesn't have, it has all that it needs. Happiness accepts problems and discomfort because growth is made possible by today's difficulty. Strive for quality, not convenience. Accept the problems you face as part of the fight that gives you life. They are part of what will make you into the better person you are striving to become.
It's time to stop believing the future holds some secret piece of your life that you need to be happy. All the pieces of feeling fulfilled through relationships, accomplishments, meaning, growth, and engagement surround you and they require little more than your time and energy. Instead of constantly pursuing happiness through a life that is ever more comfortable and convenient, recognize that the pursuit itself, with every struggle and obstacle, is happiness.
My family and I took a three week camping trip up the West Coast and this picture is from one of our stops. I felt like this trip was so good for us because we were often uncomfortable by our regular standard and we were forced to adapt. The daily struggle helped us grow closer together. The "vacation" was full of struggle, and that made the experience full of life.
There is an important difference between being comfortable and being happy. Unfortunately, most of us make the mistake of using the word "happy" to describe comfort and convenience rather than fulfillment. We believe that a nicer house, a different job, a bigger closet, better weather, a better car, or nicer clothes would help us be happier. In reality, most of our wants only help us be more comfortable or add a little more convenience to our daily routine.
Many people have convinced themselves that they are happiest when things are easiest. If you believe this you are heading for disaster! Expecting life to get easier and happier as time goes on or as you achieve X, Y, and Z will inevitably disappoint you!
This is because our lives will ALWAYS be filled with struggle no matter how "comfortable" we believe we are or will one day be. Once you get that brand new house, your dishwasher might break or the roof will leak. If you win the lottery your relationships may fall apart. By focusing on comfort and convenience you are simply replacing your old problems with newer, shinier ones. Comfort is never satisfied. We can always be more comfortable. We can always work to have more: bigger yards, luxury cars, faster smart phones. If we are focused only on how comfortable we are or how convenient our life is, we will always want something we don't have. Therefore, we will always be unhappy.
In today's struggle for existence, wellbeing, and satisfaction remember this difference. Are you working towards comfort or happiness? Happiness is always satisfied. Happiness does not want what it doesn't have, it has all that it needs. Happiness accepts problems and discomfort because growth is made possible by today's difficulty. Strive for quality, not convenience. Accept the problems you face as part of the fight that gives you life. They are part of what will make you into the better person you are striving to become.
It's time to stop believing the future holds some secret piece of your life that you need to be happy. All the pieces of feeling fulfilled through relationships, accomplishments, meaning, growth, and engagement surround you and they require little more than your time and energy. Instead of constantly pursuing happiness through a life that is ever more comfortable and convenient, recognize that the pursuit itself, with every struggle and obstacle, is happiness.
Comments
Post a Comment