What if the Pursuit of Happiness is Just a Distraction?

What if rather than pursuing happiness we’re seeking conscious awareness?

Photo by Alex Alvarez on Unsplash

There isn’t anyone I’ve met who doesn’t desire to be happy. What happy looks like for you might not be the same as what it is for me. And that’s okay.

The pursuit of happiness is a notion often repeated in stories both fictional and nonfictional, inspirational quotes, and from lots of sources you encounter frequently.

All advertising aims to sell you and me happiness. Buy these shoes, get that car, drink that soda, and happiness is yours for the low low price of your conscious awareness.

Because that’s what I think the ongoing, never-ending pursuit of happiness is distracting you and me from. Genuine, active, conscious awareness.

What if rather than happiness we’re pursuing conscious awareness?

What does this mean?

Who is in your head, heart, and soul? You. Only you. And that means you’re the only one who can know your thoughts, feelings, actions, and intentions.

Not only know but truly, genuinely be with. And beyond that? Change.