Keep an eye on happiness

Photo: Jules and Jim, dir. François Truffaut

A discreet yet radiant smile from a stranger en route to the office or amidst the birch forests of Norway.  

The gentle caress of a partner gliding along your arm's length.  

Your first successful homemade tart or pigeon dish.  

The finding of a beautifully crafted midi-length dress of the finest quality in a vintage shop, perfectly suited to your body shape.  

Or the joy of cycling through a village, in my case with the French flag in the bicycle basket, symbolising a victory of sorts.

Happiness envelops us, circulating emotionally between the small and the grand.  

It is essential for us all to remain mindful of this. However, there exists a distinction between experiencing happiness  and pursuing it.

The difference between “feeling happiness” and “seeking happiness” lies in the nature of experience and the approach towards achieving completeness.  

“Feeling happiness” refers to that momentary experience of satisfaction.  

Conversely, “seeking happiness” may involve an unconscious yet persistent effort to find or create immediate happiness, potentially leading to a cycle of disappointment and ingratitude.  

This does not imply that we oscillate between happiness, sorrow, melancholy, and dissatisfaction, as this is a natural experience for most individuals. Our emotions are in a state of constant flux.

The philosopher Epicurus from ancient Greece advocated for a life characterised by simple pleasures and the absence of pain and anxiety, cultivated through peace, moderation, friendship, and intellectual pursuits. Not least the importance of living in the present moment. The formula is tranquility, a principle we can certainly incorporate into our modern lives. In contrast, the Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard emphasised individual choices and responsibility, viewing them not as goals to be pursued but rather as byproducts of living a meaningful life rooted in self-understanding and faith.

In summary, experiencing happiness is not something we should eliminate from our lives, provided it carries a sense of liturgical delight and does not devolve into insatiable trouble. One must also remember the happiness of having a roof over one's head, food on the table, and caring individuals in one’s life. For happiness and gratitude are intertwined; those who truly embrace happiness will find the universe responding in kind.