As I read Russell's thoughts on happiness, I came across a valuable insight. When we find ourselves consistently in a state of high excitement, we start to notice that the things that normally excite us become increasingly rare and lost their ability to provide us with joy. This is because our minds become accustomed to a constant high level of stimulation, and it takes an extraordinary event to produce the same level of excitement that was easily achieved before.
Conversely, when we are in a state of calm, we notice that countless mundane things can provide us with a similar level of excitement. Thus, the goal is to cultivate a sense of calmness and find joy in these everyday, exciting experiences.
Pursuing happiness becomes a matter of discovering what ignites our passion, but also being aware of the potential downsides to excessive stimulation. For instance, spending too much time watching short videos or succumbing to mindless entertainment can lead to a constant state of high excitement, making it difficult to find joy in anything else.
To avoid this, it's essential to be mindful of what truly brings us excitement and to appreciate the beauty of calm, everyday life. By doing so, we can create a balanced and fulfilling life, where happiness is not just a fleeting pleasure but a lasting reality.