The search for success and happiness is a constant in people’s lives. For this reason, many great philosophers have reflected on what is the origin of this need. According to the famous Pythagoras, success in life is not found in material things, but in obtaining knowledge. Be that as it may, and contrary to what is usually believed, the fact of being happy not related to material wealth.
As explained by Mario Alonso Puig, a doctor and popularizer specialized in personal development, happiness is not a goal to achieve, but a conscious choice of each person. “It is a way of living that we cultivate every day: in our way of looking at life, to be grateful for what we have and to choose how we want to live“, he assures. Therefore, it would be a mistake to believe that there is a close relationship between the assets one possesses and a person’s level of happiness, as Schopenhauer already assured.
“Happiness is a daily choice,” explains the doctor
“Happiness It is a direct connection with what you arenot with what you have,” he asserts. If a person is not comfortable with themselves and is not capable of learning to value themselves, it will be difficult for them to be happy with the life they have. That is why we can observe individuals who are happy and satisfied with their lives, despite not having the greatest wealth or the best economic situation; while others, with great fortunes, seem unhappy.
As he explains, it is not that fortune and material well-being are the origin of said unhappiness, it is simply that they are not so directly related to obtaining happiness. It is true that they provide “security, freedom and opportunities”, as well as the opportunity to help loved ones. “The problem arises when we believe that our peace and happiness depend exclusively on having more“.
That is why the doctor explains that, from his point of view, “happiness is a daily choice.” A choice to feel satisfied and grateful for what you haveeven if it is little, and look for how to improve, but from the side of positivity and knowing the limits and abilities of each one. Something that the renowned philosopher Epictetus already reflected on.
Those people who know how to appreciate the small moments in life are the happiest
The most important thing is to keep in mind that “happiness It does not depend on having or not having, but on the relationship we maintain with what we have and, above all, with what we are.“, remember. Therefore, those who appreciate the coffee they drink every morning, family visits or who simply have a sunny day in which they can enjoy time outdoors will be happier.
The small moments of gratitude and happiness are what can transform a sad or normal day into a happy day, even when having to face different obligations. Simply you must change the way you see lifefor a more positive and grateful with what you have, no matter how scarce it may be. Although this does not mean not allowing yourself to feel emotions considered negative, it just means see them as a small pause along the waywhich will be followed by more moments of happiness.
This reflection is especially striking and goes against the trend of today’s societyin which it seems that the more high-value possessions you have, the more successful and happy your life is. However, both ancient Greek philosophers and current experts agree that the momentary happiness generated by the acquisition of material goods cannot be compared with the personal satisfaction that comes from accepting one’s situation and trying to improve from it. No ambition for riches, only to achieve a better version of yourself.