A while ago, I had an interesting conversation with a friend about happiness. This may sound very broad and unclear, but it was evidently focusing on the terminology. After having watched a video, that, in a controversial manner, did not support happiness as a key objective in life, we started asking each other how we feel about that statement. Is it true? Do we really emphasize happiness too much? Is the longing to achieve ultimate happiness an ‘accurate’ way to a fulfilled life or is it mere desperation? And when do we actually realize that fulfillment for oneself has been attained?
My first reaction to the viewpoint in that specific video was certainly a bit more negative than positive. How could one establish happiness and the effort to achieve that emotion as rather doubtful and questionable? I mean, in traditional senses, we live to be happy and content. Hence, we idolize using happiness as a medium to cope with anything, ranging from misery to complete gratification. Ultimately, a large section of us perceives and titles happiness as a goal to satisfaction.
What if one questions the accuracy of that feeling though? What if happiness is not enough after dissecting and analyzing its meaning and depth?
To be honest, I do not think that I have clearly shaped a stance on the relevance of happiness to obtaining goals. But I do know that it is of difficulty for me to consider it completely insubstantial. It is a term I would like to stand by, as it always has a humbling effect on me. It grounds me. Oftentimes, it directly or indirectly gives me the understanding that with genuine bliss and interest to be content, life can be comparatively easier.
However, like everything else within our reach, another extreme end of that emotion should not be left out. The harmfulness which comes with the forcefulness or exaggeration to be happy. In other words: toxic positivity. Hence, the result of being in constant denial and forcing a positive mindset in every possible situation. In that regard, what is bothersome to me is not only the overgeneralizing nature of it but also the fact that it takes away all of the other human emotions we rely on to function in the long run.
On that note, I am still in the ongoing process of defining happiness and its influence on my life. Thus, I believe that the dismissal of other emotions and substitution of them with happiness is not healthy, as we famously like to believe. But, seeing it as completely shallow and insignificant for the attainment of aims and furthermore, relish, is a stance I am not able to follow. Because, at the end of the day, the overall concept of happiness is too gratifying for me to go beyond the basic notion of it. The hopefulness, which comes with a healthy amount of that emotion, is too strong to disregard it.
So, after all, perhaps it is about finding the right recipe for fulfillment. One which includes everything to make life wholesome and flavorful. One which never forgets that pinch of happiness, which might be all it requires to be complete and perfect for oneself.
Is happiness a superficial objective?
Yes
No
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