What is Happiness?
People live for various reasons, but one can broadly say that they live to be happy. So, what is happiness? What kind of life can be considered happy? Pursuits may vary according to individual preferences, values, and personalities. Therefore, I pondered over what exactly we refer to as 'happiness', what common meaning it holds, and what efforts are required to live a happy life. As one grows older and life becomes less predictable, there comes a time when I, and perhaps many others, ask ourselves if we are truly happy.
Contemplating what constitutes a happy life and striving for it implies a certain dissatisfaction with the current state of life. However, this doesn't necessarily mean unhappiness; rather, it signifies the pursuit of happiness. When asked how they want to live, most people would answer that they want to live happily. The moment for this may not be clear. Nonetheless, people live with the vague expectation that if they do their best today, tomorrow will be better than today, gradually approaching happiness.
Happiness is a vague and abstract term, making it difficult to provide a simple answer when asked what it is. From achieving grand lifetime goals to simply enjoying a delicious meal with family after work, what people perceive as happiness varies greatly. Ultimately, all living beings dream of a better tomorrow, striving for a brighter and more hopeful future, each in pursuit of their own happiness.
When thinking about the concept of a happy life, many things come to mind. The term 'small but certain happiness' has emerged as a new catchphrase. It refers to appreciating small joys in everyday life rather than pursuing grand ambitions or achievements, embodying the wisdom of gratitude for daily moments of happiness. The prevalence of this idea reflects the challenging nature of modern life.
Nowadays, the wealth gap is widening, and even with hard work, achieving stability becomes increasingly difficult. Pursuing grand goals often fails to bring happiness. Conversely, finding joy in small, everyday moments—like hearing a forgotten song in a cafe or admiring a beautiful sunset on the bus ride home—can fill one's daily life with happiness and gratitude.
Have you ever pondered how happy you would be if you were happy every day? Upon reflection, you may realize that experiencing happiness every day would diminish its value. Happiness is relative, so constant happiness may lead to complacency and a desire for even greater happiness.
It's not to belittle anyone's circumstances, but consider the many countries in Africa struggling with famine. Even without going as far as Africa, simply looking at Vietnam in Southeast Asia, those with an average income in South Korea would be considered affluent. They might think, "Even if I only earned as much as the average Korean, I would be happy." Moreover, South Korea surpasses Vietnam in terms of material and economic infrastructure. Therefore, they envy South Korea. Yet, those they envy may not feel happy. Ask around. How many people confidently answer "yes" when asked if they are happy?
If happiness is indeed relative, the answer may be simpler than expected: living a life of contentment and gratitude for one's current circumstances. Remind yourself that you are happy. Focus less on those with more wealth or social status and more on those less fortunate, appreciating the fact that you are not in their shoes.
Is Money the Key to Happiness?
I've thought about whether having a lot of money leads to happiness. In reality, money, regardless of the amount in the bank account, doesn't guarantee satisfaction. Comparing myself to ten years ago, I'm undoubtedly more financially prosperous now. However, if asked whether I'm happier now than I was ten years ago, I'd say, "I'm not sure." Time passes, and as I age, my body grows older, but I often long to return to the time when I had dreams, hopes, expectations for the future, and excitement. The few pennies I have now are unnecessary.
So, are wealthy individuals happy? The answer is simple. Even though I'm not wealthy myself, through the stories of the rich conveyed by the media, I can conclude that money and happiness are separate entities. Nevertheless, it's true that lack of money leads to unhappiness. In the face of financial struggles, it's challenging to claim happiness despite maintaining a positive mindset philosophically. However, beyond a certain threshold where worries about livelihood vanish, money ceases to provide happiness. While having more money may enhance happiness to some extent, observing cases of suicides among heirs of conglomerates or celebrities indulging in propofol injections and debauchery suggests that being wealthy doesn't guarantee a fulfilled and happy life.
What is happiness, then? I believe it's the ordinary yet occasionally delightful moments encountered in daily life, along with the life lived to embrace those moments. It's not possible to be happy every single day since happiness is relative. If one were happy every day, they would never truly feel happy and would continually seek better circumstances.
Increasing opportunities to experience and cherish these small moments of happiness in daily life is what defines a happy person. Such individuals are adept at identifying what makes them feel good and discard societal norms to establish their own standards of happiness.
The Inescapable Truth of Life
Everyone is born, and everyone dies. This truth remains unchanged. No matter how much money one has, death is inevitable. There's no predetermined order for when one goes. Therefore, in this one life we have, it's essential to live happily. If you have goals in your life and choose to pursue them instead of pursuing happiness, that's not necessarily a bad thing. However, most people don't sacrifice themselves to achieve something without aiming for happiness. Yet, if there are those who find their life's purpose in such pursuits, they deserve respect and admiration. In fact, it's those with such goals or purposes who might truly find happiness.
