Is the most important motive in life to find happiness?

We've all heard people willing to motivate us say things like, "do whatever it is that makes you the happiest" or, "find happiness in everything you do." In the world where simple sorrows and hardships are glamorised to be taken way too seriously than how they need to be taken, is it implying that all of us must aim towards the ultimate goal of reaching happiness? Is this the ultimate goal?

What is happiness?

There have been many philosophies trying to define this word, and all agree it is way more than meets the pages. 

Psychology Today,

"Happiness is an electrifying and elusive state. Philosophers, theologians, psychologists, and even economists have long sought to define it. And since the 1990s, a whole branch of psychology—positive psychology—has been dedicated to pinning it down."

Positive Psychology,

 

"Happiness is often known by another name in positive psychology research: subjective well-being, or SWB. Some believe happiness is one of the core components of SWB, while others believe happiness is SWB." 

 

Let's go by the term SWB or subjective well-being. So, 

• Happiness is subjective.
• Happiness is well-being.

Can something subjective be the paramount destination for all of us?

We are a large number of unique individuals storming this planet. Each of us with our own philosophy and moral code, each made with a uniquely intricately woven pattern of various factors. Our happiness, or any other state of being, depends on each of these factors. It wouldn't be surprising if one's pursuit of happiness hampers that of another.

Can something that revolves around well-being be the paramount destination for all of us?

Focusing only on our well-being can be a form of escapism. It is true that survival instincts are not only strong but important but over time, especially trying to survive in this complicated human society, also a blockage in our path to getting over our comfort zones. 

Happiness is temporary. Satisfaction is permanent.

So instead of aiming for a state where we would always be happy if we could aim for a state of acceptance of the existence of all situations. If we accept the existence, we can move ahead to clear the other blockages in our way. 

For example, the first step to get over a fear is to accept it, to be brave enough to yell out, "I AM AFRAID OF ------" in our minds in a full sentence and then yell it out in real life (either literally or through arts). When we accept the fear, it would be easier to conquer it as we don't deny our fear. If our goal was happiness, we could just go about not doing anything that involves whatever it is that we're afraid of.

The process of getting over the fear could be against our well-being. What we do to get over our fear can be different from what we were suggested to do. The survival instincts that asked us to not have to do anything related to our fear would now be our guide help us go to the other side of the bridge. 

When we clear all blockages in our path, we experience a more serene version of happiness that is satisfaction.

Satisfaction

• Isn't subjective as all make peace with everything.
• Focuses on wellness instead of well-being.

Check this post out to know how to walk this path.

Do you think the most important motive in life is to find happiness?