"Happiness is not achieved by the conscious pursuit of happiness it is generally the by-product of other activities"

The essence of the idea here is that happiness tends to come to us when we're not chasing it directly. Instead, it shows up as a bonus when we're busy doing other things. Imagine you’re on a hike, focused on reaching the peak. The breathtaking views and the sense of achievement you feel at the top are like happiness—they come as a natural part of the journey, not because you were obsessing over finding them.

This thought has roots going back to ancient philosophies. Think about how the ancient Greeks viewed happiness, or 'eudaimonia'. They believed it was about living a life of virtue and purpose, not just chasing fleeting pleasures. In modern times, this idea has been echoed by psychologists who study what makes us happy. They find that people often feel happiest when they’re 'in the flow'—completely absorbed in activities they find meaningful, whether that’s working on a challenging project, creating art, or even playing sports.

Let’s consider a practical example. Take someone who loves gardening. They don’t wake up thinking, “Today, I’ll be happy.” Instead, they focus on planting seeds, watering the plants, and nurturing their garden. Over time, they notice the beauty blooming around them, and they feel a deep sense of satisfaction and contentment. The happiness they experience springs from their engagement in the activity, not from a direct quest to be happy.

So how can you apply this to your own life? Start by identifying activities that genuinely engage you. What are the things you get lost in, where you lose track of time? Maybe it’s cooking, writing, running, or volunteering. Make space for these activities in your daily routine. Focus on the process, not the outcome. Trust that happiness will tag along as a delightful surprise.

Imagine your friend Alex. Alex is always trying the latest happiness hacks—reading self-help books, attending seminars, and constantly monitoring their mood. But the more Alex chases happiness, the more elusive it seems. One day, Alex decides to take a pottery class, just for fun. They get totally absorbed in the clay, the wheel, and the creative process. They forget about their happiness quest. Weeks later, Alex realizes they’re happier than they’ve been in a long time. The joy came as a by-product of diving into something they loved, not from the relentless pursuit of happiness itself.

In the end, it’s about shifting your mindset. Stop making happiness the goal you chase and start finding joy in the journey of your daily activities. When you immerse yourself in things that matter to you, happiness tends to sneak up on you. So, don’t worry too much about catching happiness. Let it find you while you’re busy living a life filled with purpose and passion.