For a lifetime some people have been looking for happiness, this is where to understand this need to pursue happiness, you must first identify the object or subject that we are pursuing. Can an emotion that only exists in ourselves be sought outside of ourselves? When you talk about pursuing happiness, are you talking about real emotion or an imaginary state of mind beyond human limitations?
What is really happiness? Is happiness an aspiration to achieve or a simple passing emotion that we all feel from time to time? Is happiness a permanent or temporary state of mind? Is happiness a special place outside of ourselves which we have to follow in an illusory search for you to feel a perpetual joy? Is happiness an internally self-produced sense of well-being or is it just a pleasant emotional response to an external stimulus?
When we talk about pursuing happiness, knowing what we are really looking for and why we are searching for this subjective emotion is important so that we do not feel unhappy if we never find that ideal happiness that we are looking for, because happiness can be a simple illusory state product of the human imagination. Is your search for happiness a way to replace an emotional state where sadness, despair, uncertainty, discontent, pain and insecurity are controlling your life?
So the pursuit of happiness is a waste of time, an excuse some use when you don’t want to accept that unhappiness is almost always self-imposed as an emotional response when the people around you don’t meet the idealistic expectations you have of the world. but, also when we reject who we are, our limitations and the lack of power to change a reality where what we want is different from what we have.
The pursuit of happiness is not something new. Believing otherwise is not being connected to what happens around us every day. At every moment we read in magazines, newspapers, books or listen and see in speakers and dramatic films dealing with this type of subject. What makes this search more than a reality is an aspiration difficult to reach. No matter what it costs, we all look for ways to improve the environment that surrounds us as a way to feel more happy with ourselves.
Trying to achieve temporary satisfaction without caring about the consequences of this search is nothing new in our human behavior in general.
Everything we do, the things that are important to us at a certain moment, the search for happiness, changing a real expectation to an imaginary
that only exists in our mind is one of the goals that consumes the time of some who bet more to dream than to live life
The search for happiness enters, within the need to seek mythological solutions that some human beings have, when they do not want to accept the reality imposed by limitations that they find around their environment and within themselves. The search for happiness is one more myth of the many that inhabit the human mind when the sense of direction has been lost, but also the sense of who we really are as human beings.
From my point of view the pursuit of happiness is a pessimistic way to see ourselves when we assume that we are not happy the moment we start on that journey towards an imaginary future. Despite what reality shows us in our daily lives we still persist in using our present to pursue a story that very few people know the end. Title that sounds nice but in real life is not practical. The pursuit of happiness falls within this illusory scheme that we only see in romantic telenovelas.
How can you find happiness?
To appreciate what you find first you must know what you are looking for. Are you looking for happiness as an emotional state or looking for happiness as a feeling that makes you happy? Answering these questions will tell you the kind of way to achieve what you are looking for. It does not matter if it is a real goal or an imaginary goal.
Whatever the reason for starting that journey in which we all know that happiness is not on our arrival, but on the route used by us to reach that
destination is a naive way to see the events of life. Adding to this confusion we find many professionals of human behavior who use inspiring stories like this, as a way to motivate their patients by encouraging them or advising them that we should seek our happiness, even when they know that happiness is not sought, happiness is lived and it feels.
Despite what you think, happiness is not an object that is found, happiness is an emotional state that is cultivated. Happiness is not also a prize
that we earn with our effort, happiness is an attitude towards life when our emotional needs are being fulfilled at a certain moment.
Anyone who understands human behavior will tell you that no emotional state is permanent. So where does it come from in us to seek an emotional state, a transient sensation of feeling happy or satisfaction when we achieve something through our personal effort, even when we all know that they are transient emotional perceptions? The little culture of acceptance that exists in us human beings in wanting more than is humanly possible.
I have the belief that happiness is not something we seek, happiness is a feeling we feel, perceive, accept, share, cultivate, and transmit.
Happiness transforms us when it is part of us. If at any moment happiness is not part of your life, do not worry about it, happy moments come when you least expect it, permanent emotions only exist in our mind.
Happiness is a simple emotion, which is a reaction to a simple stimulus. When a child looks at the mother’s face, you can see the happiness on that child’s face as an emotional response to this simple maternal event. happiness is not something to be sought after, happiness is a state of mind, a transitory feeling of joy that you perceive, enjoy and transfer to others.
When the person you love, loves you back, you feel happiness. When you reach each of your goals, however small or large they may be, this produces a feeling of happiness, satisfaction and pride in you. When you do the things that you like, that simple act produces that pleasant sensation that we all describe as happiness. Happiness is not something that you look for, it is something that you feel, if you want to achieve happiness, pursue or do the things that produce it.
If you want to achieve happiness, learn to appreciate the simple things that life gives you for nothing and you will discover that happiness is not an imaginary state of mind to achieve, but a simple emotion that connects you with the things that are important in your life.
The real Pursuit of Happiness
The pursuit of happiness is a timeless and universal endeavor that transcends cultures, generations, and individual differences. At its core, it represents the innate human desire to find joy, fulfillment, and a sense of purpose in life. But what does happiness truly mean, and how can one achieve it?
Happiness is often defined differently by each individual. For some, it is found in the simplicity of life—spending time with loved ones, enjoying nature, or engaging in hobbies. For others, it is tied to accomplishments, success, or the attainment of personal goals. Regardless of how one defines it, happiness is not merely a fleeting emotion but a state of well-being and contentment.
The journey to happiness is as important as the destination. It involves self-reflection, understanding what truly matters, and aligning actions with core values. It also requires resilience—the ability to navigate life’s inevitable challenges while maintaining a sense of optimism.
Research suggests that happiness is influenced by both external circumstances and internal factors. While external factors, such as financial security or supportive relationships, play a role, internal factors like gratitude, kindness, and mindfulness are equally significant. Cultivating these traits can lead to a deeper, more lasting sense of joy.
Ultimately, the pursuit of happiness is a deeply personal journey. It is not about adhering to societal expectations or comparing oneself to others but about discovering what brings meaning and satisfaction to one’s own life. By embracing the process and appreciating the small moments, we can create a life rich in happiness and fulfillment.
What does happiness mean to you?