The two kinds of happiness (short form)

Beach or mountain?

Today in things I’m reflecting on:

There are two types of happiness.
🏖️ One is the absence of discomfort.
Lying on a beach - easy, effortless, pleasant. The sun warms your skin, the waves are soothing, the book is great. Not a care in the world.
(Until the drink isn’t cold enough, the vendor is too loud, or sand sneaks into your bag. Funny how small annoyances creep in when there’s nothing bigger to focus on.)
⛰️ The other is like mountain trekking. Wind in your face, legs burning, lungs working hard. It’s tough. Far from comfortable. But you feel alive, strong, the views are great, and you're damn proud when you reach the top.
Building a company, becoming a top expert in your field, solving difficult problems, raising children - these are mountain treks. Messy, exhausting but equally memorable and picturesque.
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Both have their place.
The beach is for unwinding, for catching your breath. Because, no matter what the illustrious hustlerati might say - make no mistake, the perpetual grind isn’t sustainable.
But real, lasting fulfillment (what the Greeks called 'eudaimonia') comes from the climb - from contributing to something beyond momentary pleasure (hedonia) or mere comfort.
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💭 Which one do you need more of these days?