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Imagine you’re traveling through the desert. You’re exhausted, dehydrated, and on the brink of collapse. To the east, maybe a mile out, you see a pastoral outpost with an artesian well centered among the plain, clay-brick homes. To the west, teetering on the horizon, you see an oasis. Palm trees enwreathe a cool blue pond next to which stands a pavilion supported on alabaster columns. And, if you’re not mistaken, it’s populated with sexy servants armed with frond fans and dishes piled with exotic fruits. Which do you choose?
The pastoral village, of course. You may be dying of thirst, but you aren’t an idiot. You recognize a cliché, cartoon-inspired mirage when you see one, and know that such a pain-free paradise will remain forever out of reach. Better to seek true relief than risk further misery.
Yet, when it comes to our happiness, the mirages of our minds fool us time and again. We set our sights on dreamy perfection, and despite our best efforts to cover the distance, such happiness eludes us. In fact, a growing body of research demonstrates that the more we value and pursue happiness, the less happy we become. This is known as the happiness paradox.
That puts us in a predicament. Happiness is associated with an oasis of life benefits: more creativity, a boosted immune system, stronger relationships, improved mental health, and better performance at work. Plus, it just feels good to be happy. But how can we become happier and enjoy those benefits if we can’t pursue happiness directly? Research suggests there is a way, but we first need to understand why the pursuit of happiness is so counterproductive.
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Credit: “The Blue Gown,” Frederick Carl Frieseke, 1917
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James' World 2 
Jun 14, 2023 @ 21:13:01
Do not worry about tomorrow, get busy today, is the key to hapiness!
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Jun 14, 2023 @ 21:19:00
I concur, worrying is an unhealthy pursuit.
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Jun 15, 2023 @ 00:43:40
Heheh, read poetry? 🙂
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Jun 16, 2023 @ 05:27:13
I think that I shall never see…
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Jun 16, 2023 @ 09:38:34
🙂
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