Is True Happiness an Illusion?
Can we truly be happy?
Happiness in itself is such a subjective phenomenon that it is difficult to find a one-size-fits-all definition for it. We capture a sense of happiness from various elements — people, memories, experiences, events.
Take you, reading this for example, you’re probably thinking of a sweet memory, a loved one, your job or any other random thing that leaves you in a state of joy.
Read this piece again in a few days and you’ll find that you’re thinking of something other than you just have. Happiness is so fluid, I tell you.
True Happiness
Humans are naturally emotional beings implying that we all crave a pure, sincere, brimming and never-ending form of joy and satisfaction, and that is exactly what true happiness is. It’s a state of absolute harmony and satisfaction with one’s body, soul and mind that no iota of sadness is let in, for all time, but is this ever attainable? Is this an illusion? Is this a lie? Is it real? Or is it just easier to believe it’s attainable?
Well, one great flaw of humans is hope- we always want to believe good things will happen someday. Even though some parts of us feel and know we’ll never truly be happy in this world, it’s just easier to hope. It’s the hope that keeps us sane. It’s the hope that slowly drains us, that slowly kills us.
True Happiness: An Illusion
True happiness is an illusion. We’ll never attain it no matter how hard we try. There’ll always be a problem along the way that offsets our equilibrium and this is what we have to accept.
Appreciate the quality time with loved ones, the journey of pursuing your passions, the fun night out with friends, the pleasant memories, because sadly, it’s the happiest we’ll ever be. We’re so hell-bent on finding true happiness that we overlook these so called ‘simple joys’ when they’re infact all there is to life.
Hinderance to Happiness
A BIG hinderance to happiness is comparison. We’ll never see and appreciate just how good we look in the mirror if we’re constantly trying to be someone else. I sometimes fantasize a reality where we’re each all alone on different planets with no one to compare ourselves with, maybe then can we appreciate who we are. A way to conquer comparison is contentment- releasing yourself from all forms of outward pull of comparison and reaching a state of absolute satisfaction regardless of our situation.
Conclusion
We may never be able to attain true happiness but we can atleast enjoy and appreciate what may seem like it in certain moments.
