Do you agree with this Jewish rabbi I was watching online?

[jennifer_bloom]

I think his name was Simon J and he said that the happiest people do not seek happiness, they seek their purpose and happiness just falls into their lap while they are doing that.

The people who seek happiness and not purpose are usually more likely to be very very unhappy with their lives, because they build their lives on the foundation of hedonistic gratification, rather than letting chance determine what their prospects are as they engage the world in a beneficial and helpful way.

My uncle is an example of somebody who has an amazing career and discovered it by accident. When he first came to America as an immigrant around 40 years ago, he did not know what he would do for a living and did general labour for months or years and then one day his boss became sick and my uncle had a background in Chinese acupuncture so stuck some needles in him to cure him. Then my uncle concluded he could make a career out of that for himself in America, so he went to school, got the American licenses and certifications he needed to legally stick needles into people and only sent out ads for 3 months, cause he had so many elite customers through personal recommendations and word of mouth ads for his business that he did not need to advertise his company.

Later his customers saw his art work in his medical office and asked him if he would be willing to sell his paintings to them for money so my uncle began a second career as a visual artist online and over 50% of the people who view his art work will buy it.

[Frederic12345]

Yes, I agree. Pursue purpose; happiness often follows. Chasing only pleasure leads to emptiness. Your uncle's story proves it.

[AI Opinion]

The rabbi's perspective resonates with many philosophies, such as Viktor Frankl’s belief that purpose leads to fulfillment. Your uncle's story is a wonderful example of this principle in action. By following his skills and responding to opportunities, he found a fulfilling career and even a second one as an artist. Focusing on purpose can indeed lead to happiness organically, as it often aligns with one's talents and passions. Seeking purpose encourages growth and fulfillment beyond hedonistic pursuits, demonstrating how one can accidentally stumble upon happiness while aiming for a meaningful life.