Happiness: A fool’s pursuit
In a world where the pursuit of happiness is often hailed as the ultimate goal, I find myself contemplating the true essence of fulfillment and the fleeting nature of happiness. This reflection was sparked by two profound conversations I had with remarkable individuals. One was with a man who, despite having built a billion-dollar company, finds happiness elusive and seeks fulfillment that truly moves the needle. The other was with an impressive friend, as intelligent as she is adventurous, who confessed her inability to comprehend happiness and envied those who could find joy in simple, seemingly mindless activities, without the need to achieve extraordinary feats.
For a select few, happiness is a peculiar concept. I would wager that most creators do not chase happiness; instead, they live for something more profound, deeper, and enduring. In the second part of this discourse, I will delve into this further, but first, let me share my personal relationship with the concept of happiness.
As a child, around the age of ten, I struggled to grasp the concept of happiness. When asked if I was happy or what brought me joy, I found the questions baffling. I didn't feel happy or sad in the conventional sense; instead, I experienced a range of emotions tied to achievement and failure. Happiness seemed like an artificial construct, a pursuit that was foreign to me. I understood achievement and failure, but happiness felt like a nebulous, elusive goal.
My struggle with happiness continued into my early teens. I couldn't find contentment in passive activities like watching sunsets or lying on a beach. I was drawn to action, to the thrill of the ocean and the challenge of the mountains. It was during this time that my parents introduced me to the works of Ayn Rand and Nietzsche, two philosophers who would profoundly shape my understanding of human nature and the pitfalls of societal dogmas.
Nietzsche's critique of morality resonated with me. He argued that morals are often aesthetic judgments, and that the value of life is not inherently tied to its service to morality. This perspective challenged the conventional wisdom that happiness is the ultimate goal, suggesting instead that life's value lies in pursuing something meaningful. He said “In the background of all their [moralists'] value judgments, 'life' must be seen as worth living, as worth affirming; they suppose as their basic article of faith that it has value only insofar as it is in the service of morality... But this is simply an illusion, and a very dangerous one at that. Life has value only when it has something valuable as its object."
Ayn Rand's philosophy further solidified my belief in the importance of individualism. She posited that the task of a rational person is to discover his own values and pursue them. This idea struck a chord with me, as it echoed my own sense of purpose and fulfillment. According to Rand “The task of a rational person is to discover his own values and pursue them”.
[Side note: I think every kid should read these books as teenagers]
As I delved deeper into these philosophies, I came to realize that happiness, as commonly understood, is not worth chasing. It is a transient state, easily disrupted by the slightest inconvenience. Instead, I believe in the pursuit of fulfillment, in seeking greatness in endeavors that truly resonate with us.
This pursuit is not without its challenges. Fulfillment often requires suffering, a willingness to endure hardships for the sake of a greater purpose. Nietzsche captured this sentiment perfectly when he said, "Man, the bravest of animals, and the one most accustomed to suffering, does not repudiate suffering as such; he desires it, he even seeks it out, provided he is shown a meaning for it, a purpose of suffering. The meaninglessness of suffering, not suffering itself, was the curse that lay over mankind so far."
Fulfillment, unlike happiness, is lasting. It is the sense of accomplishment that comes from creating a masterpiece, building a successful business, or winning an Olympic medal. It is the drive that pushes us to seek new challenges, to paint on a larger canvas, and to contribute to the progress of humanity.
In the words of Ayn Rand, "Happiness is that state of consciousness which proceeds from the achievement of one's values." This statement encapsulates the essence of my philosophy. Happiness is not the goal; it is the byproduct of living a life aligned with our deepest values and aspirations.
As we navigate the complexities of life, we are faced with three fundamental questions:
Are we willing to stop chasing happiness and instead seek fulfillment?
Do we know what truly fulfills us?
Are we willing to endure suffering in pursuit of our goals, and if so, to what extent?
The answers to these questions will shape our lives and determine the legacy we leave behind.
