Scott Perry argues happiness is temporary but meaning lasts. He says the real human drive is pursuing purpose, not pleasure, and that meaning can grow even through hardship. Try skipping the happiness chase for a day and make one small purposeful contribution instead.
The pursuit of happiness is a tricky phrase and a bit of an empty promise. Happiness is less a sustainable destination and more a temporary side effect. While we may get a momentary happiness injection from an accomplishment, victory, or moment of good fortune, feelings of happiness quickly fade. Why is that? Because happiness is not the point. Hey, I'm Scott Perry, Chief Difference Maker at Creative on Purpose, with today's Mindset on Purpose insight and inspiration. Ancient philosophical and spiritual traditions and modern psychology and neuroscience point to the same conclusion: the defining quality between human beings and other creatures isn't our pursuit of happiness, it's our pursuit of meaning. Unlike happiness, meaning isn't a fleeting state and doesn't rely on satisfying our dreams and desires. Meaning is a comprehensive feeling of purposeful contribution to something bigger than ourselves. What's more, we can forge meaning from any experience or circumstance, even those that involve hardship and pain. Don't get me wrong, there's nothing inherently wrong with happiness. When it visits, feel it and experience it fully. But is happiness overrated? What happens if, just for today, you stopped chasing happiness and sought meaning instead? What small, purposeful contribution can you make today? How does that feel?
Stoics Don't Suppress Emotions, They Do This Instead #stoicism #emotionalintelligence #mindset
