Let’s be real—these days, it feels like bad news is lurking around every corner. From global conflicts to the price of, well… everything, it’s easy to feel like the world is spiraling. But guess what? Today is the International Day of Happiness! And if there was ever a perfect time to hit pause on the doom-scrolling and reset our mindset, this is it.
Enter Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel—a 19th-century German philosopher who had a surprisingly optimistic take on life. His idea? History, no matter how chaotic, is always moving toward progress. Sounds hard to believe, right? Well, according to Hegel, when things feel messy and uncertain, it’s often because we’re too close to the action. We’re so zoomed in on the struggle that we can’t see the bigger picture.
Think about it like watching your favorite TV show. If you only focus on one dramatic episode—say, the one where everything goes wrong—you might assume the whole story is a tragedy. But if you step back and watch the entire season, you’ll likely see how the twists and turns lead to a satisfying (or at least meaningful) ending. That’s Hegel’s view of life!
His philosophy breaks down into three stages: Thesis (where we start), Antithesis (the challenges we face), and Synthesis (the balanced outcome that helps us move forward). In other words, conflict isn’t just inevitable—it’s essential for growth. That rough patch you’re going through? It’s just a stepping stone to something better.
And here’s where it gets even more interesting: Hegel didn’t just believe in waiting for happiness to happen. He championed a concept called “sittlichkeit”, or ethical order, which is just a fancy way of saying that real happiness comes from staying connected with your community. In other words, don’t go through life’s struggles alone. Surround yourself with good people, engage in meaningful conversations, and find joy in shared experiences.
So, what’s the takeaway? Zoom out, trust the process, and stay connected. Today, instead of getting stuck in negativity, take a step back and remind yourself that challenges are part of the bigger picture. History tells us we’ll get through it—and probably be better for it.
Want to dive deeper into this happiness mindset? Check out Arthur C. Brooks’ take in The Atlantic.
Here’s to a little more optimism and a lot more happiness!
