The Pursuit of Happiness or The Happiness of Pursuit? (Pt. 2)

In 2021, I came down with a severe illness – numb hands, nerve pain, brain fog, chronic fatigue, insomnia, diarrhea, nausea, and more. After many doctor visits, I was told that the cause was unknown (possibly viral), there was no treatment, and that it might get better in three years (the doctor was right).

After months of persisting sickness, I had to accept that this might be the "new normal" for me. However, I wasn't going to let my sickness hold me back from living my life to the fullest. So I signed up for my first marathon and started training for it obsessively. In hindsight, pursuing this goal kept me from succumbing to depression.

Runners who "hit the wall" experience a sudden drop in energy around 32km due to a complete depletion of glycogen. For this reason, they say that the "real marathon" begins at the final 10 kilometers.

I, too, hit the wall on the race day. However, ahead of me was a dad pushing a stroller, a guy with an obvious limp, and a cancer survivor (her shirt said so). Seeing how tired they looked yet still pushing forward, I couldn't help but feel inspired. I wondered what challenges they were going through in their lives, and I suddenly felt that I wasn't alone.

When I finally crossed the finish line, I was ecstatic. But like getting a new car, the joy of accomplishing my goal faded quickly. What lingered, though, was a profound sense of growth – knowing that I could persevere no matter what.

The Power of Growth

Lasting happiness doesn't come from reaching milestones or goals. It comes from growth and who you become along the way as you overcome challenges and achieve your goals.

Imagine how happy you'd be buying your first home under different circumstances:

1) you won a lottery.

2) you worked hard, made smart financial decisions, and saved diligently for years.

Lasting happiness is not about the house; it's about the growth and who you become. Like the old saying, life is a journey, not a destination.

If you missed last week's part 1 of this article, read about an inspiring story of a legally blind pastry shop owner here.

Join me on a journey to redesign life, one step at a time! 👊