As far back as the days of ancient Greece ( yes I know they could be going back there again but thats another story) Aristotle wrote that man’s single only purpose in life was the pursuit of happiness.
Thousands of books and trillions of words have been written on the same theme and yet it seems that very few people truly tune into how to make happiness a reality.
Of course we all want to be as happy as we can, we know that instinctively, but so many find it a daily impossibility.
The modern world has just exacerbated the problem. The speed at which we live , the demands put upon us by employers and the media and our own expectations.
In my forthcoming book Insidious I describe how one man you have never heard of has dictated much about how you live, your values and your beliefs and how he single handed created the advertising world as it is today, the single cause of some much unrequited desire and unhappiness.
Billions of people have become distracted from what really makes us happy in search of a truckload of “things” that they think make them happy.
Consider the difference between pleasure and happiness. We get pleasure from having and doing things, but pleasure does not last. It is fleeting and the pleasurable effects from the things we have and do wear off just like the hit from any drug.
Just like a great sunset which can make us feel really happy and content, eventually the sun goes away and we are left in the dark.
Happiness however is a state of mind that cannot be bought about by having or doing.
Happiness is internal not external and the contradiction is that in finding happiness you find that less is more. No amount of goodies can make you happy, they can be pleasurable but that will not last,
Happiness is found in valuing the small things in life, valuing what you have, not hankering over what you don't have. Looking for what you don't have is external.
Make a list of all the good things in your life and appreciate them, many don’t have them and the best things are the things that money cannot buy.
Good friends and family, good health, peace of mind, relaxation and contentment.
Yes I know that things go wrong in our lives and I’ve had my fair share. At those time our happiness is pushed into the background, but if you examine what is important to you you will know that those things are still there and will carry you through.
Letting go of the idea that you need more to be happy is your greatest challenge and leap forward in your pursuit of happiness.
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