The Pursuit of Happiness

I remember in college when I watched the movie by Will Smith about the true story of a guy that went from rags to riches. I also remember having been disappointed with the movie while my friends thought of it as an inspiration. I'm the only one who thought that "He just got a job. What's the big deal?".

The pursuit of happiness, in our world is different for all of us. And I could only categorize them into 4 types. It's important to know which type you fall into, so that you know you're searching for your happiness. Money can either be a means to an end or the end itself. It depends on what type are you.

4 Types of People According to Their Happiness

1. The Pleasure Seekers

These type of people are happy when they are stimulated by events, substance or activity. They are the one who will pursue happiness in the terms of travel, backpacking, going to clubs and parties, meeting new people, hiking the mountains, going to exotic locations, different foods, relationships. Happiness is living in the moment and the experiences you get. Happiness for them is the now and the feeling of being in the moment, without a care for tomorrow. Like living each day as if its their last.

2. The Security Seekers

These type of people are happy being with their family, friends and work. They are happy having work. Having said that, the movie Pursuit of Happiness is based on these type. Family + Work = Happiness for them. Having a stable, work-life balance is the ultimate goal because there is no other way to live life. Being useful to family, organization and society. That is their happiness.

3. The Knowledge Seekers

These type of people are happy learning new skills, knowing about a lot of things to understand or have control of the natural world. The keyword here is understanding the world. Happiness for them is to understand nature, the universe, the world itself. Or to understand people and how they think. In a way, for this type to be happy, it is imperative to have a lot of free time dedicated to learning, reading and experimenting.

4. The Enlightenment Seekers

These type of people are happy when they inspire others to be the best they can be. They are happy when there no clutter in their life. Living on the most bear essentials of life. While security seekers would love a good house, a car in a good neighborhood, these type like the simplest cabin in the middle of the woods living off the land. They are happy when they find time to know their true self and help others know their true self too.

The important thing to remember is that, different people are of different types and most likely pursue the happiness they fit into. I, for example is of the knowledge seeker and the movie "Pursuit of Happiness", which caters the Security Seekers, does not excite nor inspire me. In a summary I think the movie is about a homeless guy who got a good job at the end of the movie. A security seeker may be brought to tears, like my friends. But I am not so moved by this. I cried seeing the launch of a space mission or a mechanical arm working on a paraplegic, but not so interested in a homeless guy having a job.

And with this in thought, remember now, that some of these types are not your average security seekers who would be happy to work until old age. Most of them are unconventional in the work-live-die way. And investing would be a good way to brought about the change to the pursuit of your own happiness.