True happiness is not obtained in a lot of the activities that most people assume will lead to happiness, and that’s something you do have to accept. But, the Buddha says, your desire for true happiness is something you should honor.

"There is a true happiness that can be obtained through human effort. It’s not in a lot of the activities that most people assume will lead to happiness, and that’s something you do have to accept. But, [the Buddha] says, your desire for true happiness is something you should honor. That’s what he himself did. He gave his life to his desire for true happiness. And he got results."

~ Thanissaro Bhikkhu "Defeatism? - Anything But"

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