Hector and the Search for Happiness
How many of us, I wonder, can recall a childhood moment when we experienced happiness as a state of being? That single moment of untarnished joy. That moment when everything in our world, inside and out, was all right. Everything was all right. But, now, we've become a colony of adults and everything is all wrong, all the time. It's as if we're on a quest to get it back and yet the more we focus on our own personal happiness, the more it eludes us. In fact, it's only when we are otherwise engaged, you know, focused, absorbed, inspired, communicating, discovering, learning, dancing, for heaven's sake, that we experience happiness as a by-product, a side-effect. Oh no. We should concern ourselves not so much with the pursuit of happiness, but, with the happiness of pursuit.
The quote above is from the movie Hector and the Search of Happiness. When I first saw Simon Pegg on the cover, I thought to myself, this will just be another British comedy (and it was, sort of). However, I must admit that I did not expect to Pegg to be as great a dramatic actor as he was here, since I have always correlated him to 'Shaun of the Dead.' With that being said, he was pretty great. Rosamund Pike was also great even though her lines were minimal, which I was happy for since she really creeped me out in Gone Girl [also a great movie]. I won't spoil what happens in this movie, but I definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to see a light-hearted yet inspirational movie. I found the blend of comedy, romance, drama and adventure to be very satisfying, so much so that I am writing about it. This movie might leave you reflecting on your own journey to happiness, as it did with me.
After watching the movie, I was curious to see Hector's list of what happiness meant. I soon found out that the movie was based on a book by Francois Lelord, and as with most book to movie adaptions, there will always be a missing element. I plan to read this book sometime in the future because the story was wonderful, and I'm sure the book had more insights to Hector's thoughts throughout his journey, and those commentaries are always what makes me appreciate the story even more.
The following list is from the book, which somewhat differs from the movie version so I don't believe this list will spoil the movie if you have not seen it yet.
- Making comparisons can spoil your happiness
- Happiness often comes when least expected
- Many people only see happiness in their future
- Many people think happiness comes from having more power or more money
- Sometimes happiness is not knowing the whole story
- Happiness is a long walk in beautiful, unfamiliar mountains
- It’s a mistake to think that happiness is the goal
- Happiness is being with the people you love; unhappiness is being separated from the people you love
- Happiness is knowing that your family lacks for nothing
- Happiness is doing a job you love
- Happiness is having a home and a garden of your own
- It’s harder to be happy in a country run by bad people
- Happiness is feeling useful to others
- Happiness is to be loved for exactly who you are (People are kinder to a child who smiles)
- Happiness comes when you feel truly alive
- Happiness is knowing how to celebrate
- Happiness is caring about the happiness of those you love
- Happiness is not attaching too much importance to what other people think
- The sun and the sea make everybody happy
- Happiness is a certain way of seeing things
- Rivalry poisons happiness
- Women care more than men about making others happy
- Happiness means making sure that those around you are happy
