[One Thousand Characters a Day] Professor Seo Eun-guk's 'Where Does Happiness Come From?' <4>

Editor's NoteHappiness is a deeply personal experience, not something to be proven to the world. There is no need to judge right or wrong by any standard, nor to rank oneself above others. However, when one becomes overly conscious of others' perspectives, there arises a feeling that one's happiness must somehow be recognized by others. Professor Seo Eun-guk points out that this process gives birth to the enemy of happiness: excessive materialistic values. The appearance becomes more important than the content to hear the words "That person must be happy," and money becomes necessary to reveal concrete evidence visible to others. One of the important conditions for happiness is that the owner of one's life must be oneself, not others. Word count: 875 characters.

Excessive materialism has fatal consequences for happiness. It is said that people are the surest way to turn on the happiness light bulb. However, the more one obsesses over money to become happy, the more paradoxically one moves away from the very people who are the source of happiness.

Of course, in today's world, having money makes it possible to survive alone. If survival alone is the goal, we live in a kind of "new world" where one can live with money alone, without people. But our primitive brains have not yet fully adapted to this new world, and the happiness light bulb inside it has no interest in money itself. The switch that turns on that bulb is still people, but in pursuing money, one ends up entering a room without this crucial switch. Why are we not happy? Because we have followed the scent of money into a very dark room.

Another problem with excessive consciousness of others is that it makes relationships with people unpleasant. This becomes a cause that hinders happiness. Although people are said to be the most important factor for happiness, the important premise here is that those encounters bring me joy and comfort. However, if one thinks of others as competitors fighting over limited resources necessary for happiness (such as college admissions, promotions, etc.), distrust and stress toward others inevitably increase. One constantly compares whose "rice cake" is bigger and becomes wary, fearing being taken advantage of if off guard.

(Omitted)

I believe the common cause of symptoms such as lack of freedom and excessive materialism is an overly sensitive consciousness of others. That does not mean we should build walls against the world and live a self-centered life. Balance is needed. For whom do I live? Our scales often tip heavily toward others, and in such cases, this can lead to negative outcomes not only for oneself but also for the happiness of others in the long run.

- Seo Eun-guk, , 21st Century Books, 18,000 KRW

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.