Understanding the Subjectivity of Happiness
Before I start explaining my views on the pursuit of happiness, I want to emphasize that happiness, at its core, is subjective. What brings joy to me might not affect you in the same way, and vice versa. So, how do we navigate this subjective concept of happiness, which is ever-changing?
It’s actually simpler than you think! Even if what we are looking for differs from person to person, the path to reach there, quite surprisingly remains the same. With that being said, let us first analyse the situation.
Truth About Happiness
If you want to know the truth, I am not entirely inclined towards chasing happiness. Do you know why? Because my life’s goal isn’t happiness, and I believe it shouldn’t be yours either. I know, it’s quite contradictory to the title. But hear me out first.
We’ve all grown up being taught that the ideal life means leading a happy life. But does true happiness ever truly exist? Like any other emotion, be it fear, anger or sadness, happiness too fades over time. It’s not something that is guaranteed, and making it the sole aim of your life will likely lead to immense disappointments and a constant need to seek new sources of happiness.
The Nature of Happiness and Thinking
But why do we still seek happiness? Why do people encourage us to think positive thoughts or to be happy? Here’s the thing: while we don’t have direct control over how we feel, we do have complete control over how we think and even though they are not entirely interchangeable, they are definitely dependent on each other.
For example, when we go through a sad or heart-breaking situation, no matter how hard we try, we just cannot be happy. And that is okay, because happiness is an emotion or a way of feeling and not a way of thinking. While feelings are beyond our immediate control, our thoughts aren’t. You feel how you feel when you feel it. We experience emotions as they come, and phrases like “Be Happy!” or “Cheer Up!” cannot instantly alter our emotional state. However, there remains a choice…
Positive Thinking!
Even when you are amidst a breakdown or facing overwhelming challenges, it might be impossible to think happy thoughts but there still remains an option to think positively. Happiness might not always be an option, but positive thinking on the contrary is.
While happiness is ever fading, positive thinking is permanent. It’s an attitude that you can hold on to no matter how out of hand the situation gets. Regardless of your emotional state, you can always choose to seek out the good (even if it is simply a life lesson that will ultimately make you stronger) and hope for a better tomorrow.
It is the decision to focus on the possibility of good results or seek out the goodness in any situation or person. Positive thinking is logical. It’s more about using your head than your heart. It’s about taking whatever you experience and trying your best to make the most of it (even if the situation is terrible). On a subjective level, positivity promotes well-being, satisfaction, contentment, and optimism. It’s about fostering a sense of resilience and perspective.
Benefits of Positive Thinking
This brings us to the next question: why should I think positively? And what about negativity? How can I simply overlook it?
In life, we inevitably face both positives and negatives, but how we choose to approach them defines the quality of life we experience. Let’s explore some of the benefits of positive thinking.
Health Benefits
Health benefits that positive thinking may provide include:
- Increased life span
- Lower rates of depression
- Lower levels of distress
- Greater resistance to the common cold
- Better psychological and physical well-being
- Better cardiovascular health
- Better coping skills during hardships and times of stress
The Role of Negativity
But, once again, what about negativity? Well, from a developmental point of view, we are more likely to succeed in life if we can remember negative experiences that were destructive to our success, because we are able to cope better in the future, if we should come against these obstacles again later on in our lives.
Apart from this, without negativity there is a chance that we might never find where our true passion lies or waste countless hours trying to do the impossible. In other words, if you were too busy focusing on something else (other than the things you are interested in right now) and blind to the truth, waste time over trying to succeed at it, you would never realize where your true passion really lies. And that is why negativity is a necessity.
Conclusion: Pursuing Happiness vs. Positive Thinking
So, what is the conclusion? Should I, or should I not pursue happiness?
Well, there is absolutely nothing wrong with thinking happy thoughts or drifting toward things that make you happy, but it is important to remember that happiness regardless of how amazing it is, isn’t permanent. If you’re looking for lasting fulfillment, learning the art of positive thinking is the best place to put your time and energy.
Think Positive, Be Positive ❤