Many philosophers maintain that happiness is not a state that can be constantly maintained over time. They believe that happiness consists of small moments that coexist with all the other feelings, sensations, and stimuli that human beings experience. In this regard, philosophy professor Víctor Ballesteros says, “There is no secret to happiness.” He recommends that we reflect more frequently on our decisions and actions to live a better life because “to be happy, the best thing is to be an authentic person.”
There are moments of happiness and moments when we can’t find it anywhere
Einstein is known for his immense contributions to humanity, but also for his philosophy. The scientist once said, “If you want to be happy, tie yourself to a goal, not to people or things.” This phrase can be interpreted in many ways, but it can also be understood as a goal being a purpose, and as with any purpose, there are good times and not-so-good times. Therefore, there are moments of happiness and moments when we can’t find it anywhere. And the sum of all this is okay; it’s part of the natural processes of being human. Perhaps today there are more contradictions due to the effect of social media.
“There’s no secret to happiness; there can’t be,” Ballesteros explains in an interview with Cuerpo Mente. And speaking of social media, when we delve into that world, we see how most people share the best moments of their lives: trips, luxurious gifts, extraordinary lives... And the situation has escalated to such an extent that society as a whole has set very difficult expectations in its pursuit of what they call happiness. Ballesteros emphasizes: “It’s better to live an authentic life. And then, of course, we would have to define what is authentic and what isn’t. But we find happiness in so many different things that it can be difficult to pinpoint its source.”
Experts say it’s impossible to live in continuous happiness; with moments of happiness scattered throughout the day
The constant pursuit of happiness is nothing new. What is happiness, and is there a universal recipe for achieving it? These are two questions philosophers have been asking for centuries. That’s precisely why Ballesteros asserts that it’s far more worthwhile to aim for other goals in life than for happiness, which can sometimes seem like a somewhat vague concept. Happiness can be having a coffee in the morning, laughing at a joke, or receiving good news. But as we see, these are fleeting moments; it’s not about living in constant happiness. In fact, experts say it’s impossible to live in continuous happiness; with moments of happiness scattered throughout the day, that’s all. Anything else is a more specific concept of alternative realities.
“I believe some pleasures are superior to others” – Víctor Ballesteros
On the other hand, if there were an enemy of happiness, for Ballesteros it would be thoughtlessness. “I believe some pleasures are superior to others. For example, the pleasure of strolling through the Prado Museum is greater than that of a night out drinking. I suppose so, although I’m not entirely sure because I’m teetotal. But I imagine it must be much greater than getting drunk. Beyond that, I’m not one to preach. I encourage everyone to find their own path, their own way of being happy, of fulfilling themselves and developing,” Ballesteros affirms. And it is precisely to find that form of happiness that suits us that we must make room for reflection and self-knowledge.
Looking inward, at our inner selves, can sometimes be a little scary. But knowing ourselves is almost essential for happiness. In this sense, Ballesteros reflects: “In today’s world, the constant rush in which we live, the lack of reflection on what we do, and the lack of time to stop and reflect on our moral decisions are what harm us most. That’s the key: being able to slow down a little.”