“Happiness is the absence of the striving for happiness.” - Chuang Tzu
To strive for something insinuates the absence of something in one's life.
If not an absence, a desire for more.
A hunger and thirst for, a sense that there isn't enough.
A yearning for satiation.
Perhaps we feel that it is very much a well-intentioned goal.
When we get this we will be happy.
When we reach that destination we will be satisfied.
Attainment of this will allow us to be comfortable.
Getting there will bring us joy.
But again, feeling that we 'need' something means we don't have it or don't have enough of it.
In the end, what most are looking for is a state of happiness.
Contentment in life.
What we may not be aware of is that this is a choice.
Instead of thinking that we don't have enough and need more to be happy, we can be happy with what we have.
Instead of continually chasing the 'good times' and enduring the 'bad times', we can see the beauty in all that life has to offer.
Instead of striving for something to bring us happiness, we can strive to live life fully, as it is.
It is a paradoxical approach to endure through life until you've reached the satisfactory point, only to realise that the target has moved, yet again.
In my latest blog post, "The Beautiful Struggle", I've written a poem expressing the emotional tug-of-war that life can be, if only we allow it to be. Follow the link to read my poem.
Strive to live, live to strive.
Image C/O notesonliberty.com/