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"النية بأن يكون الإنسان سعيدًا ليست في خطة الخلق."

Sigmund Freud
Sigmund Freud Neurologist
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Quote meaning
The idea here is pretty straightforward: the universe, or whatever higher power you believe in, didn't specifically design things so that humans would be happy. This isn't to say we can't find happiness, but it's not a guaranteed part of life that we can count on.

Historically, this perspective reflects a more realistic or, some might say, a pessimistic view of life. It suggests that suffering and struggle are more integral to human existence than bliss and contentment. This quote could be seen as a counter to overly positive philosophies that claim happiness is our natural state or birthright. It might've been said during times of hardship, war, or personal struggle—times when proclaiming that happiness was an expectation would seem naive, if not downright cruel.

Let's bring it to life with a real-world example. Imagine Jane, a software engineer. Jane was always told by her parents and teachers that if she worked hard and followed her passion, she'd be happy. So, she did just that. She aced her exams, got into a top university, and landed a great job. But guess what? Despite the high salary and the prestige, Jane found herself feeling unfulfilled. The constant deadlines, the pressure to innovate, and the lack of work-life balance made her unhappy. She started questioning everything. Was she doing something wrong? Was there something wrong with her?

Jane's story shows that even when you do everything "right," happiness isn't guaranteed. It’s a hard pill to swallow, but it's also liberating. If you understand that happiness isn't a given, you can stop beating yourself up for not being happy all the time. You can focus on finding meaning, purpose, and moments of joy in the midst of life's inevitable ups and downs.

Here’s some advice: Stop chasing happiness as if it's the ultimate goal. Instead, aim for fulfillment. Engage in activities that bring you a sense of accomplishment or that align with your values. Build strong relationships, as human connections often bring deep satisfaction. And don't be afraid of the tough times—they're part of the deal. They make the good moments even sweeter.

Picture this: You're at a coffee shop, chatting with a friend about the rough week you've had. You're both sipping lattes, and the conversation turns serious. You admit that you feel like you're failing at life because you're not as happy as you think you should be. Your friend looks at you and says, "Hey, remember when we were kids and thought life would be perfect once we grew up? Well, turns out it's messy. We're not always gonna be happy. And that's okay."

In that moment, you realize that expecting constant happiness is like expecting to never face rain. Life is about navigating the storms and appreciating the sunny days when they come. It's about finding beauty in the chaos and meaning in the struggle.

So, next time you find yourself questioning why you're not as happy as you think you should be, remember Jane, remember that coffee shop conversation, and cut yourself some slack. Life wasn’t designed to make you happy, but it does offer countless opportunities to find fulfillment and joy if you know where to look.
Related tags
Creation Divine plan Existentialism Happiness Human condition Life philosophy Life purpose Purpose of life Spirituality Theology
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