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Victoria Ly
Zeledon
English 1A
20 January 16
The Pursuit of Happiness
As people grow older, happiness is seen as an abstract idea—an illusion even, to those
who lost themselves in the midst of a mundane, arduous cycle most commonly known as adult
life. Many people struggle with finding a purpose to their lives and passively go through the
motions of the day without attaining any meaning from their life experiences. These individuals
may identify as being miserable, spiteful and apathetic—traits that ultimately do not lead to a
lifestyle of happiness or fulfillment. Happiness is something that we are expected to grow out of
after becoming adults. It is an idea that is only associated with carefree children who can easily
find the awe in life’s simplicity. Often times, people forget to appreciate everything around them.
We rarely show gratitude towards loved ones or experiences that have helped to shape us in our
lives. In doing so, many of us are inherently and constantly fixed on what we don’t have—
wanting more while being blinded from what is right in front of us. In addition to being the
unappreciative human beings that we are, many of us are constantly comparing ourselves to
others based on unrealistic standards set in place by society. However, there are ways in which
everyone can stray away from a passive and unhappy lifestyle. Anyone can strive towards a
happy existence filled with intention and purpose by refraining from comparing themselves to
others, cultivating a positive mindset, and defining goals to aspire to.
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Though comparison is a foolish and unfruitful habit we partake in, many of us practice
the act of comparison almost unconsciously in our everyday lives. We use social comparison to
gauge where we stand as individuals juxtaposed to our peers. Comparing ourselves to others
does very little good to our own happiness, and, in actuality, it is a form of self-destruction that
inhibits us from seeking out positivity. When constantly comparing ourselves to those around us,
we start to worry and regret who we aren’t and fail to enjoy who we are. Yet, if comparison is
detrimental why do people continue to use it as a way to measure and validate individual worth?
In Sonja Lyubomirsky’s book, The How of Happiness, a study found that only a mere 10% of
happiness derives from extrinsic pursuits such as wealth, fame, and status while 40% of our
happiness is classified by intentional actions such as our habits, behaviors and thought patterns
(Britton). This study shows that we must define our own happiness through the choices and
