A reason for happiness ...

Happiness is an elusive, yet universal desire. We sometimes confuse mere pleasure with genuine fulfillment, chasing temporary highs that leave us feeling empty. Viktor Frankl, in his profound work "Will to Meaning," shed light on this dilemma.

Frankl asserted that when we lack a deeper reason for joy, we tend to seek out causes of pleasure – a "fake it till you make it" approach doomed to fail. As Frankl wisely noted, "Only if one's original concern with meaning fulfillment is frustrated is one either content with power or intent on pleasure."

The difference is critical for our well-being. Direct causes of pleasure, like TV, shopping, or substance use, are mere artifacts – symbols, outdated relics, or distortions that ultimately leave us in an existential vacuum, prone to depression and anxiety.

True happiness, however, stems from values, goals, and, ultimately, meaning. When we engage in what we find meaningful, pleasure naturally arises. We can then genuinely claim happiness and justify it, because our joy is rooted in purpose, not fleeting physical sensations. A key difference here is that our happiness is our own because we generated it, from our uniquely meaningful, value-directed activities, versus it coming from something external and generic.

According to Frankl, there are three main sources from which one can discover meaning in life: purposeful work or accomplishments (creativity), experiencing something or encountering someone (love), and the attitude we take toward unavoidable suffering. Frankl believed that meaning could be derived from creative works, loving relationships, and maintaining courage in the face of difficulty.

Even in the horrific conditions of the Nazi concentration camps, Frankl was able to find meaning by focusing on his love for his wife and striving to re-write the manuscript for his book that had been confiscated.

Reflect on your life: Are you chasing causes of pleasure or cultivating reasons for joy? No one looks back on their life wishing they had watched more TV or bought more things. True fulfillment comes from living a life of meaning, where happiness is a natural byproduct, not the end goal itself.

Frankl, V. E. (1969). The Will to Meaning: Foundations and Applications of Logotherapy. Plume (Penguin)