The Pursuit of Happiness

What makes you happy? That answer will change over time and depending on circumstance, but you will notice that the feeling itself is fleeting. It comes and goes as quickly as the brisk wind on a winter's day. So why is it that we all seek the singular feeling of happiness? There has to be more to it—truthfully there is. The pursuit itself is the journey worth talking about and remembering, not just the end result. 

When the Founding Fathers penned their names to the Declaration of Independence they acknowledged the following, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Notice that they said “pursuit” and did not promise that you would be happy. There is no certainty in the end result, but the faith that the pursuit of said happiness is guaranteed. It is granted by God but not a promise. I have said often that we were given every emotion for a reason. Sad, happy, angry, fear, surprise—all of them. Without every single one life would be quite unfulfilling and all emotions would lose meaning and intent. 

In the movie from 2006 The Pursuit of Happyness Will Smith plays Chris Gardner, a medical device salesman who has thrust his entire life savings into his pursuit of a livable wage through his bone density scanners. This true story to book and then film is played out with extreme emotions for the viewer as Gardner has a wife that leaves him and his young son, gets evicted from their home, and is forced to live in shelters or hotels. At one point they even sleep on the floor of a BART station bathroom. 

Gardner never gives up however, and never shows his cards during the movie. He pushes through every roadblock, leaps over every wall, and eventually lands an intern position with a major stock broker. He goes on to win the permanent position in the process over a multitude of others finding success at the end of the road. The real life Chris Gardner went on to be the founder of a brokerage firm in 1987, selling a minority stake in 2006 for multi-millions. 

While Gardner found financial success at the end of the film and created a network of wealth for himself along the way, the happiness that he and his young son needed were found in the pursuit of growth. During the moments that seemed dire he showed impeccable resolve and drive seeking the happiness that would provide sustainability for his son and himself. 

In one scene he protects his son in the bathroom of the metro station as they fall asleep on the floor, holding him tightly and providing reassurance to him that everything is alright and will be fine. His son sticks by his side and provides hope and drive to keep Gardner moving. 

Throughout the film they find happiness in random areas despite their circumstances. Together they build an unbreakable bond and trust that concludes the film with joy for all those with the benefit of watching.

The end result was amassing great success and financial stability for Gardner and his son. The pursuit however is what built the needed tenacity and strength for him to eventually launch his own brokerage firm and find financial stability. Gardner could have easily slipped into a state of despair and depression failing his sphere of influence and ultimately his son along the way. 

Despite the many adversities faced the pursuit of the goal helped create a bond that was forged in struggle with his young son, it created massive growth through trials and tribulations that were overcome, and it created everlasting memories of the “where have we been, how did we get here” concept that will make generations thrive long after said events. 

What pursuit are you having in your life currently that feels tough—Is it the happiness you seek from work, a relationship, or even happiness that simply comes from having a clear bill of health? 

Happiness doesn’t come easy, and it isn’t the end result that we often think it will be. It is a fleeting feeling that comes and goes just like every other emotion that we face daily. We all would like to achieve eternal happiness and live in a perfect world, but I counter that the pursuit and all that comes with it as being more important than the actual ending result. Pushing through the tough times, leaping your personal walls, and forging your way through the tough moments will make the lasting gains more fulfilling. 

Life should be and can be fulfilling—it won’t always be happy. Without the pursuit of happiness however, you won’t find any fulfillment. Don’t let a bad day or a lull in the action of life create a place for your mind and emotions to stay. See every moment as a growth point that is needed in your journey that will help forge your eventual fulfillment and ending happiness. 

If you don’t remember how you got to where you are when you found that fulfillment, you will easily forget how important the trip along the way has been. 

We aren’t built to be happy all the time. We are built to pursue it and along the way endure things that create a better understanding of happiness once we land there. Once the fleeting feeling is gone, you will face other obstacles and trials on your life road, but understanding the pursuit for further happiness—for that fulfillment—will lead to an everlasting result worth that pursuit. 

Find ways to create a full pie for yourself, to understand the balance of the wheel of life where all the spokes are built to last. You will have to make repairs at times, but enjoy the process of the repair as it makes your wheel of life that much stronger for the roads you will forge ahead as you pursue your happiness.