Chasing happy

Like the philosopher Slavoj Zizek says, humans are not meant to be happy. We are instead meant to be motivated from which some level of contentment is derived. Therefore chasing happiness is a futile pursuit because it is an elusive concept better suited to Hallmark cards than reality.

We have all wondered whether stopping ourselves from overthinking would make us happy but then that might remove a portion of our free will (with all due respect to neurologist Robert Sapolsky).

It seems to me that part of the formula is to reduce expectations and find joy in the little things. A good meal with a friend is sometimes all it takes to realign the spirits. Human connection plus maintaining a sense of wonder can both go a long way. The buzz in buying something new lasts maybe 5 minutes.

We chase nothing.