So, is happiness found in the journey or in the destination?
My non-profound answer would have to be: D. All of the above. Happiness can certainly be found in the journey. I found plenty to be happy about during my two years of unemployment a while back. There were also some doggone miserable days, but it was by no means two solid years of pain. As tough as it was at times, it was actually a fairly good time in many ways.
But I do have to admit that there’s a certain amount of happiness to be drawn from in having “arrived” at the end of that period of unemployment. The memory of that time makes it easier to be happy now and appreciate what I have. I still have my bad days, certainly, but I can’t say I’m in a big hurry to go back to that time, either.
On the other hand, I’ve never had much luck in finding happiness in the destination when the destination is “things”. I was so sure getting this new laptop would make life more enjoyable. And it did, for a day or two. Now it’s just “the family computer” and nothing particularly special. When it comes to things, I’d have to side with Spock who said that having is not as satisfying as wanting.
But relationships are another matter entirely. When it’s the right relationship, being in the relationship is more satisfying and happiness-inducing than pursuing that relationship. There have also been friendships that caught me by surprise. I didn’t really realize it was headed that direction until suddenly it was there. Oddly enough one of the longest and most fulfilling relationships of my life came about from my simply fulfilling a church assignment to visit a family in the neighborhood.
In my current job happiness has been a mixture of both journey and destination. Certainly I like where I am more than where I was with the company. But then I’m still on a journey, too, and at present that journey itself is rather enjoyable. I’m glad I am where I am, and I enjoy what I’m doing, but I can also imagine things getting even better.
So I’m not sure I know the answer to the original question. Is happiness found in the journey or the destination? I think it ultimately depends on the traveler.
I love that you can see that it can be both ways and may depend on the traveler or the situation. Too often, people think things can only be one way. Personally, I tend to lean towards finding happiness in the journey, but that is only because I spent too many years being miserable because I thought that it would make me happy in the end. I couldn’t go on living that way.
Polite agreement. Look for ward to where you are going, but enjoy the trip.
Maybe the happiness is being able to find the joy in both the journey and the destination. And being grateful for the good as well as the bad. I think there is happiness in the learning and the growing, whatever it happens to be.