"自分を忘れることは幸せである"

The essence of this quote is about the joy that comes from losing oneself in something bigger. When you stop focusing on yourself—your worries, your desires, your image—you can achieve a state of true happiness. It's like when you're so absorbed in a task, a book, or a conversation that everything else just fades away. You're not thinking about how you look or what others think of you. You’re just in the moment.

This idea isn’t new. It has roots in both philosophy and psychology. Think about ancient wisdom from philosophers like Lao Tzu, who said, "By letting go, it all gets done." Or, consider the modern psychology concept of "flow" introduced by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. Flow describes that state where you’re fully immersed in an activity, feeling both engaged and fulfilled. It's a universal experience whether you're an artist lost in a painting, a coder buried in lines of code, or a parent playing with their child.

Let’s paint a picture with a real-life example. Imagine a musician on stage, lost in their performance. They aren’t thinking about the crowd or even themselves. They’re a vessel for the music, and in that moment, they’re experiencing pure joy. They’ve forgotten themselves, and in doing so, they’ve found happiness.

How can you apply this wisdom to your life? Start by identifying activities that naturally capture your attention and interest. It could be anything—playing sports, gardening, playing an instrument, writing, or even cooking. The key is to engage in these activities fully. When you catch your mind drifting back to self-centered thoughts, gently redirect your focus to the task at hand. It might take practice, but over time, you'll find yourself more easily slipping into that joyful, selfless state.

Here’s a little story to bring it home. Picture this: you’re at a beach with friends. The sun is setting, painting the sky with hues of orange and pink. You decide to build a sandcastle, something you haven't done since you were a kid. You start molding the sand, digging moats, and decorating it with shells. You’re laughing, getting sandy, and completely immersed in the moment. For those few hours, you’re not worrying about work, not checking your phone, not thinking about your appearance. You’re just there, building a sandcastle, feeling the cool evening breeze and the warmth of the setting sun. You’ve forgotten yourself, and you’re truly happy.

So next time you feel overwhelmed or unhappy, find something to get lost in. It doesn’t have to be grand or perfect. It just needs to be something that takes you out of your own head and places you firmly in the moment. It’s in these moments of self-forgetfulness that you’ll find the surprising, almost magical, spark of happiness.