Our beliefs about happiness are often misguided from "summary" of The Myths of Happiness by Sonja Lyubomirsky
We humans are wired to seek happiness. It’s a universal pursuit, a fundamental aspiration that transcends culture, religion, and geography. We spend our lives chasing after it, believing that once we find it, everything will fall into place. We tell ourselves that happiness lies in achieving certain goals, acquiring specific possessions, or reaching particular milestones. But what if our beliefs about happiness are misguided?The truth is, our ideas about what makes us happy are often based on misconceptions and myths. We think that if we just make more money, we’ll be happier. We believe that if we find the perfect partner, we’ll finally experience true joy. We convince ourselves that once we lose weight, get that promotion, or buy that house, we’ll be content. But time and time again, research has shown that these beliefs are flawed. One of the biggest misconceptions about happiness is the idea that it is solely determined by external circumstances. We think that if we change our surroundings, we’ll change our level of happiness. We believe that if we just find the right job, move to a new city, or buy a bigger house, we’ll be happier. But the reality is that our circumstances only play a small role in our overall happiness. Another myth we often fall prey to is the belief that happiness is a destination to be reached. We see it as a finish line that we need to cross, rather than a journey that we embark on every day. We tell ourselves that once we achieve a certain goal or milestone, we’ll be happy forever. But the truth is that happiness is not a static state. It’s a dynamic and ever-changing experience that requires constant attention and effort. Perhaps the most dangerous misconception about happiness is the idea that it can be pursued and captured. We think that if we just work hard enough, strive long enough, and sacrifice enough, we’ll finally achieve lasting happiness. But the reality is that happiness is not something to be pursued; it’s something to be cultivated. It’s not a destination to be reached; it’s a way of living. So, what does this mean for us? It means that we need to reexamine our beliefs about happiness and question the myths that we’ve been conditioned to believe. We need to understand that happiness is not something that can be bought, achieved, or pursued. It’s something that we create within ourselves, through our thoughts, actions, and relationships. It’s a state of mind, a way of being
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