The Paradox of Happiness: Struggle as the True Measure of Life

Life is not meant to be frictionless. A little struggle, a little uncertainty, and reflection and growth—that's where life strikes gold. Recently, I came to realize not everyone is given that privilege: the ability to appreciate some struggle. Everyone aspires to live without struggle, but is that really utopia?

Everywhere we look through the dominant narrative and scripture, the ideal place where we are surrounded by abundance and joy is meant to be promised and guaranteed. It is the reason why most kids' movies win, and the room for evil to be an equal and normative force does not exist.

More importantly, these ideal places that we aspire to bear no weight nor meaning unless they are validated in struggle. Without being controversial, the ideas of Black man Jesus and White man Chris and the different framing of the afterlife as a result of their relationship to God mean that the afterlife and the value it holds in this life are different. This probably holds true for a multitude of things.

In our heads, there lies a desire to short-circuit all suffering and amass the quick means to become wealthy and successful. The rise of influencers on Instagram, the recent Hawk Tuah scam, which saw recent overnight sensation Hailey Welch participate in a crypto rug pull that harmed her fans—there seem to be these endless immoralities that stem from prioritizing a life of happiness.

Similarly, the world's unwillingness to acknowledge the inhumanities that surround MrBeast and the ethics of his company. The majority of MrBeast’s products are framed at kids and tend to have elements of alleged “scams.” It seems these people, who we glorify and give the most spotlight, are continually willing to extract significant rates.

More people flaunt their lifestyles, and more people claim to be experts in niche fields. People fake credentials, such as Jay Shetty, who amasses millions of followers. Should we truly celebrate their rise to success? Their life of complete happiness and fullness, which is built on emptiness and immorality?

Or do we simply say that things are the way that they are? Do we choose a life of less friction? Do what is conventional and guarantees success? If morality is subjective and people are able to make these inhumane trade-offs on a daily basis, should there be a limit on people?

I mean, not to be conspirative, but throughout history, people have been told exactly what not to do so a select few can benefit from the proceeds. In the same search for happiness and the pressure of hustle and productivity, culture takes control of the algorithm. Should we conform and give every waking hour to our work?

Should we simply hope to get lucky and find the quickest route to lifelessness—money?