Personally, I have never pursued happiness. I do not think it is "pursuable". To me it simply feels like just a presence or a state of being. Happiness is right here, all the time, in the moment, by default. I just need to simply acknowledge that it is right here. The part that seems most like a choice about it is actually the denial of its presence. To me, the worst enemy of happiness is not being present and thinking about the past, future, or being elsewhere. All I need to do is to pay attention. To argue against the 1938 study, I would say to interpret the results in reverse: being present (and thus being happy in that moment) is what fosters good relationships (as they get the attention they deserve and become reciprocal).
I really enjoy this take, Kris. I do agree about being present. I think it is often overlooked in our distracted age. Simply being present with the people around you can have huge effects on relationships.
Personally, I have never pursued happiness. I do not think it is "pursuable". To me it simply feels like just a presence or a state of being. Happiness is right here, all the time, in the moment, by default. I just need to simply acknowledge that it is right here. The part that seems most like a choice about it is actually the denial of its presence. To me, the worst enemy of happiness is not being present and thinking about the past, future, or being elsewhere. All I need to do is to pay attention. To argue against the 1938 study, I would say to interpret the results in reverse: being present (and thus being happy in that moment) is what fosters good relationships (as they get the attention they deserve and become reciprocal).
I really enjoy this take, Kris. I do agree about being present. I think it is often overlooked in our distracted age. Simply being present with the people around you can have huge effects on relationships.