Happiness
is only an abstraction, a far-fetched thought that is often elusive and
evasive; it is difficult not only to define but also to understand. To further
the complication, happiness often creates certain misleading myths.
The
myth: the happiness sources
It is
always a myth that abundant wealth, good health, and satisfying
relationships—what most people crave and pursue in their lives—will bring
them happiness. Abundant wealth, good health, and satisfying relationships are
only the byproducts of happiness; they do not cause or bring true and
lasting happiness in real life.
To
illustrate, many lottery winners attest to their experiences of temporary
ecstatic happiness, and nearly all winners confess that their winning has
ultimately made them miserable and unhappy for various reasons. Maybe once the
initial stimulus of sudden wealth and the drastic changes of lifestyle have
worn off, they ultimately return to their original baseline level of happiness
or unhappiness. Or, maybe, according to some experts, having too much
pleasure—what is known as “eustress”—could also cause stress, just as lacking
in pleasure might be stressful to the many have-nots.
The myth: the happiness effort
It is
also a myth that happiness is something that can be pursued with willpower and
effort. The Bible rightly says that pursuing happiness is just “like chasing
the wind.” (Ecclesiastes 2:11)
Effort
does not necessarily bring happiness; it only creates the illusion of an
environment that is conducive to temporary happiness. To illustrate, one may
work diligently in one’s career to excel and to get to the top of the
profession only to find that one has a terminal illness, or has incurred a
debilitating accident. For example, Steve
Job, the co-founder of Apple computers, had his life cut short by
pancreatic cancer at the height of his successful business career.
Pursuing
happiness may be only a fantasy fueled by temporary moments of happiness,
because aging, illnesses, misfortunes, and ultimately death plague all alike;
in other words, impermanence cuts short all human efforts and endeavors
to bring happiness. We are all aware of the fact that impermanence is an
ultimate leveler of everybody and everything, but many of us still choose to
delude ourselves into thinking otherwise. Denial only fosters the myth that if
there is a will there must always be a way to attaining happiness, and that all
it requires is the human effort to make any dream come true.
Without happiness, many may become depressed. TAO wisdom will show you how to get out of depression.
Without happiness, many may become depressed. TAO wisdom will show you how to get out of depression.
Stephen Lau
Copyright© by Stephen Lau
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