Read time: 2.5 min.

We live in a society that's obsessed with happiness.

Everywhere you turn, messages are telling you that you need to be happy, that happiness is the key to a fulfilling life.

I’m here to tell you:

You’ve been sold a lie.

Happiness is a hamster wheel

The pursuit of happiness ruins the lives of many people.

It seduces them into:

• Countless one-night stands

• Late-night binge eating

• Partying each weekend

• Excessive spending

When these activities end—and the pleasant feeling disappears—they end up feeling unfulfilled, sad, and empty again.

They are trapped in the happiness hoax, endlessly chasing the wrong thing.

Like a hamster on a wheel.

Here’s the thing:

It’s impossible to ’’achieve’’ happiness.

You can’t obtain it.

Happiness is an emotion; expecting it to be constant is unrealistic.

Emotions are fleeting, temporary, and inconsistent.

Instead of happiness, aim for fulfillment.

It’s a much wiser life goal.

Here’s how to enter the state of fulfillment:

Step 1: Stop Chasing Pleasure

Pleasure creates small moments of happiness.

But it fails to fulfill.

You will always crave more.

I’m not saying to eliminate all pleasure from your life.

I’m saying to stop thinking it will fulfill you in any kind of way.

Realize this, and you’re one step closer to fulfillment.

Step 2: Find Meaning

A life without meaning is like a ship lost at sea.

It lacks direction, purpose, and fulfillment.

Meaning is found in responsibility:

• Working a meaningful job.

• Providing for your family.

• Pursuing a meaningful goal.

In periods of suffering, these things sustain you.

It’s better to pursue meaningful things than to pursue things that make you happy.

Happiness is shallow, inconsistent, and serves yourself.

Meaning is deep, consistent, and serves something beyond yourself.

Step 3: Fulfillment is A Choice

If you ask your mind if you can be fulfilled, it will always come up with reasons why you can’t.

• ’’My new house could be better.’’

• ’’The walls could be painted.’’

• ’’The garden could be redone.’’

• ’’I could build a playground for my son.’’

Instead, ask yourself:

’’Is there any urgent reason why I can’t feel fulfilled in this moment?’’

When you’ve stopped chasing pleasure, and work on something meaningful, fulfillment is simply one choice away.

It’s the realization that nothing major is missing in your life.

Accept this to free yourself.

Fulfillment is to be achieved now.

Final Thoughts

I like to think of happiness as a butterfly.

The more you chase it, the more it flies away.

But if you slow down, it may land on your lap.

Be grateful for it when it comes, enjoy it as long as it lasts, and don’t scare it away by wanting it to stay.

If you always think happiness is somewhere else, it will never be where you are.

To counter this:

Focus on the present moment.

Ironically, if you stop the pursuit of happiness, you open yourself up to receiving more of it.

That’s all friends.

See you again next week.