Do you work toward happiness?

[Swollerbear]

I've come to realize that happiness comes and goes in waves regardless of situations. I enjoy the ride when it comes. I don't chase it though. I focus my sight on self development and growth. Happiness occasionally accompanies me on that path. Typically, we grow during hardship. For an example that a lot can relate to- I had a toxic relationship, but that taught me humility, discipline, and patience. I came out stronger. I'm approaching 30, so I've been doing a lot of thinking as of lately. I thinking the constant pursuit of happiness is a shallow and a baseless endeavor. Learning how to value those hard lessons in the middle of a shitty situation really gives you an entire new framework of how to look at life.

[AmandaYVR]

Happiness is not a shallow endeavour. It's just ill-conceived. Happiness as a goal is doomed to fail. Mental health professionals know this, worry about clients who begin this way, the first session.

Strife, toil, and suffering, are part of existence. We need to teach acceptance of that, not instill in others the goal of happiness.

'Everything is relative.' That's my motto these days. We cannot have the sweet without the bitter. It is the bitter that makes the sweet taste so sweet.

[LiamJHayden]

No, I choose to be happy. That is literally all it takes for me. I can choose to be happy, or choose to complain.

[Swollerbear]

If happiness were a choice entirely in our control, then we'd all be happy. There would be no crime, no hurt, no anything. I don't think it's really a choice.

[nawtee_me]

The issue is not to strive for happiness but to be happy where you are.