Happiness Of The Pursuit

Though realists by nature, Stoics are optimists by necessity. Through great suffering, a Stoic eventually learns that “the obstacle is the way.” How we are molded by life’s difficult journey is more important than the eventual destination we reach.

John Stuart Mills learned to seek happiness by limiting rather than satisfying his desires. The lesson that less is more and small is beautiful is not limited to the Hippie.

Only after we come to terms with the reality of pain and suffering as an integral part of the human experience can we hone Jefferson’s notion of our God-given right to pursue happiness into a more nuanced view that such pursuit is a matter of our focus and choice.

Last month, I wrote a piece titled “Life is Hard” and received feedback suggesting that it came across as negative and cynical. On the contrary, I consider myself an optimist and a realist, focusing on how to best play the cards that I have been dealt rather than wishing for a better hand.

Like a Japanese calligrapher who spends a lifetime perfecting one symbol, I have spent most of my real estate career renovating Highland with an eye on aesthetics and quality. In the process, I have learned that my greater happiness is achieved through the actual hard work behind the attainment of those long-term goals so passionately pursued. Hopefully, one eventually learns that happiness is earned while pleasure is consumed, happiness is given while pleasure is taken, and happiness is achieved communally while pleasure is achieved individually.

In the West, we think of time as linear, so we are more driven, productive, and pleasure-seeking to compensate for our efforts. In the East, we think of time as circular – missed this bus? No worries, the next bus is coming. Hence, folks in the East are more focused on happiness than pleasure, trusting that what goes around comes around.

Let us strive to shift our focus from the pursuit of happiness to finding happiness in the very pursuit of what we love.

— Sina.