"كنت مقتنعا تماما أن السعادة هي الهدف، ولكن طوال تلك السنوات التي كنت ألاحقها فيها، كنت غير سعيد في السعي."

The core idea here is that happiness shouldn't be the destination we're constantly striving for. When we treat it as a goal, we might miss out on the joy that comes from the journey itself. It's about finding contentment along the way, rather than always reaching for some future state of happiness.

Think back to the 21st century, when the "pursuit of happiness" was practically a mantra. Everyone was chasing success, money, and the perfect life. But the more they chased, the more elusive happiness seemed. The person who said this probably had an epiphany after years of feeling unfulfilled despite doing everything they thought would make them happy.

Here's a vivid example: Imagine Sarah, a high-powered lawyer in New York City. She nailed every goal she set for herself—graduating top of her class, landing a dream job, buying a penthouse. But every milestone left her feeling empty. She was always looking ahead to the next big thing, hoping it would finally bring her happiness. Then, one day, she decided to take a break. She traveled, spent time with friends and family, and dabbled in hobbies she never had time for. To her surprise, she found herself happier, not because she reached a new goal, but because she was living in the moment and enjoying life as it came.

So how can you apply this wisdom? Start by shifting your perspective. Instead of thinking, "I'll be happy when..."—try focusing on what brings you joy right now. Maybe it's a walk in the park, reading a good book, or just having a deep conversation with a friend. Don't postpone your happiness for some future achievement. Integrate small joys into your daily routine.

Let's make it more relatable. Picture yourself in college, gearing up for finals. You're stressed, working late into the night, thinking, "I'll be happy once this is over." But what if, instead, you took short breaks to do things you love? Grab a coffee with a friend, watch an episode of your favorite show, or just take a walk. You'd still be working towards your goal, but you'd also be finding happiness in the present.

In essence, the quote reminds us to enjoy the ride. Sure, goals are important. They give us direction. But don't let the pursuit itself rob you of the happiness that can be found in the here and now. After all, life is what happens while we're busy making other plans. So take a deep breath, look around, and appreciate the small moments. They're the ones that truly make life rich.