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My life changed one day when I started reading about the philosophy of “happiness.” I, like all of you always struggled to find it. I’ve had success in business, a good marriage and healthy kids. I don’t want for much because I have all of my basic needs covered, 1/
but at times I just feel depressed. I have the same “what’s the point” thoughts regularly. I struggle to get out of bed. I hate the monotony. I tire of people at times. This is the human condition.
But I started thinking about happiness differently when I contextualized 2/
But I started thinking about happiness differently when I contextualized 2/
it differently.
Read about Eudaimonic vs Hedonic happiness. Hedonic happiness is what most people think is happiness. It’s materialism. It’s sex. It’s momentary stimuli that people use as a proxy for happiness. The pursuit of hedonic happiness is what drives most human 3/
Read about Eudaimonic vs Hedonic happiness. Hedonic happiness is what most people think is happiness. It’s materialism. It’s sex. It’s momentary stimuli that people use as a proxy for happiness. The pursuit of hedonic happiness is what drives most human 3/
activity. Eudaimonic happiness, on the other hand, is what you SHOULD drive towards. Eudaimonia is the pursuit of doing well in the context of your capabilities. Your happiness can’t be measured against anything except what you seek from yourself. Eudaimonia in Greek means 4/
“To do the work of the gods.” Or it can also be interpreted as “striving to do good work” at all things.
So when I feel down, I don’t look for the material things that will cheer me up, I focus on being the best that I can be at everything I do. Like- being a good dad. 5/
So when I feel down, I don’t look for the material things that will cheer me up, I focus on being the best that I can be at everything I do. Like- being a good dad. 5/
Nothing makes me happier than knowing I was a good influence on my children that day. I focus on health- who among us doesn’t feel “happier” after a workout? I focus on working hard for my employees and customers because it feels good. I focus on being a good husband- because 6/
that’s a noble and worthy thing to be.
In the context of everything we see wrong with society- I view it as the battle between Hedonia and Eudaimonia. Most people in American society have their basic needs met. Now we simply argue over the excesses. But no matter what we do 7/
In the context of everything we see wrong with society- I view it as the battle between Hedonia and Eudaimonia. Most people in American society have their basic needs met. Now we simply argue over the excesses. But no matter what we do 7/
to redistribute that excess- both sides will be unhappy because they view their happiness through the lens of material things- NOT their own growth as humans. Hard work, community, friendship, personal health, ethics and the devotion thereto are the key to my happiness, and 8/
I encourage others to read about Eudaimonia to recalibrate their own minds around the philosophy. It gives you something to do on the bad days, and reminds you that it’s normal and it’s only a matter of getting back to the hard work on yourself to feel happy again.
