Pursuing Happiness

We are a very achievement-focused society. And while that certainly is not a bad thing – after all, having goals and a vision for the future is important – it also carries with it some inherent risks. When we are overly focused on achieving some milestone, we can miss the scenery along the way. We miss the process because of our fixation with the product. We delay satisfaction, fulfillment and even joy until some future event.

But oftentimes, the chase is just as rewarding as the achievement. In many cases, it may even be more so. The achievement can be anti-climactic if we miss all sights and experiences along the way. We can be like the dog chasing a car: the pursuit is exhilarating, but we have no idea what to do next if we ever catch it.

Our founding fathers listed three inalienable rights: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It is no accident that only two of these they declared each citizen should have, the third was something we are to chase. It is the process we are entitled to, not the product.

Happiness is not something anyone can guarantee, but we are blessed to be living in a nation in which we are free to pursue it. Embrace the chase!

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