On Ways of Living (Part 14) — From "150 Sayings"
Happiness lies in the process of living
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The proposition that "happiness lies in the process of living" is a philosophy that views happiness not as an "end point," but as the "movement of existence itself."
In modern society, happiness is often linked to "success," "wealth," "status," and "achievement." However, with such a view of happiness, one can only feel happy at the moment a goal is achieved, and the majority of life becomes "time that is not yet happy." Conversely, this proposition considers that the essence of happiness lies in the "process itself" of living—as people worry, get lost, learn, fail, meet others, and feel nature.
For example, the time spent watching a child grow, the twilight hours spent talking with friends, the moments of noticing the changing seasons, and the days spent struggling to overcome difficulties all hold a deep meaning that is different from the results. Happiness is not a "completed state," but a "state of living while feeling meaning."
This philosophy also resonates with Rachel Carson's view of nature. Carson saw nature not merely as a resource, but as a "cycle of life" where living things are interconnected and constantly changing. In the natural world as well, life is not just the moment a flower blooms, but the entire process of budding, swaying in the wind, and eventually returning to the soil. Similarly, in human life, there is value not only in success and results, but in the time of living itself.
Furthermore, this proposition is increasing in importance in the AI era. While AI can pursue efficiency and optimization, human happiness cannot be measured by efficiency alone. This is because human-like happiness dwells within "inefficient experiences" such as taking detours, conflicts, chance encounters, and empathy with others.
In short, this proposition expresses a deep affirmation of human existence:
"Happiness is not a reward at the end of life, but something that dwells within the act of continuing to live itself."
This expresses a deep affirmation of human existence.
(Co-created with ChatGPT on May 14, 2026)
The above is a personal view and is not related to any organization I belong to.