Success vs Happiness
Success and Happiness refer to two different things, between which a number of differences can be identified. However, the question of whether they are the same or two different things has puzzled thinkers and sociologists for centuries. They have been unable to solve the riddle. Is happiness less than success or does it mean more than success or does success equate happiness? These are questions that even after thousands of years of search by eminent personalities, remains unanswered. It is hard to find the difference between success and happiness as both are intricately related, almost intertwined. There are cases where people who thought they would be happy when they achieved success actually felt empty after achieving their goals. There are umpteen examples where success meant nothing to people who felt they got everything as they were happy. This article attempts to highlight the differences between success and happiness while examining the two terms separately.
What is Success?
First, when paying attention to the term success, it can be defined as the achievement of a particular goal. For an example, a student, who worked hard and studied for an exam, passes it with flying colors. This is a huge achievement in his life. Thus, it can be understood as a moment of success. When an individual can succeed in a particular task, it is natural for him to feel happy. This highlights that success brings happiness in its wake. But it is temporary and more of a sense of achievement and accomplishment.
You feel happy when people praise you on your achievement. But this is not happiness in reality. It is your pride and ego that are caressed by such praise, and you feel happiness that is not real but comes from outside. Success can bring about material happiness to an individual. It can be transformed into monetary gain that makes an individual happy. However, this can be temporary.
What is Happiness?
Happiness, on the other hand, is a feeling of content. One can be happy to see the breathtaking beauty of nature, or he can be happy playing with small kids. Hobbies and creative activities are classic examples of being a source of happiness for people. You are not competing with others and are only trying to better yourself when you engage in hobbies. You feel happy which proves that happiness is not something that has to wait till you are successful.
Real happiness has no connection with success, even though most people equate happiness with success and set goals for themselves which they feel will bring happiness for them when they achieve them. In the meantime, there are moments in life that bring a lot of joy, but these people wait for the real happiness to knock their doors. They feel as if happiness is waiting for them at the end of their journey that is nothing but trying to fool oneself. Happiness is not there out in the world. It is a feeling that lies within and does not depend upon the success at all. Will you be happier to see the majestic sunrise after you are successful in life? Or will a playing toddler bring more happiness then than he is providing now? People, who think along these lines, are only trying to fool their mind into thinking that happiness is dependent upon the success, and when success is achieved, they will be happy.
What is the Difference Between Success and Happiness?
- Happiness can be understood as a feeling of content whereas success is the achievement of a task or goal.
- Success can be temporary, and dependent whereas happiness is not.
- Unlike fairy tales or novels where happiness comes at the end of the story, happiness in real life does not wait to come in your life when you are successful.
- One can be happy on his journey to his goals and happiness comes from within. It is not something that comes with success.
Image Courtesy:
1.”Graduation hugs” by Chad Miller from Orlando, Florida, US [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
2.Happiness_held_is_the_seed_happiness_shared_is_the_flower by Irina Patrascu from Craiova, Romania [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
