A few weeks ago, I made a new Instagram account. I can’t tell you what it’s called because, A) it’s my little, anonymous corner of Instagram (yay!), and B) it’s an embarrassing handle. Anyway, I decided to create this new space purely to follow and save content that inspires me. No strings attached. No social ties. Just beautiful, thought-provoking goodies for my digital treasure trove.
Last week, Arte, a Franco-German TV channel, talked to 20 and 30-somethings in France and Belgium about happiness. From deeply considered to quick reactions, I loved the poetic range of responses. In my experience, there’s always been a certain kind of depth to the French people, culture, and language. They often just get it.
Here’s what some of them had to say —
“Apres, je ne sais pas ou ca se situe d’être heureux a 100%, mais en tout cas je sais que pour l’instant ca va, ma vie, elle est belle.”
Translation “I don’t know a case in which you can be happy 100% of the time, but for now, I know that it’s okay. My life, it’s beautiful.”
“Parce que je suis romantique. Et que ca me donne une force supplementaire, l’amour”
Translation “Because I’m a romantic, and that gives me extra strength: love”
“Je ne sais pas si je suis heureux, mais j’aime de plus en plus être en vie. Et accepter aussi les moments de malheur. Parce que c’est un peu ca en fait. Moi, j’ai l’impression qu’il y a de ca. C’est que être heureux, c’est aussi accepter que parfois, ca ne va pas. C’est un peu con que je vais dire, mais je trouve que pour être heurex, il faut peut-être un peu lacher la question du bonheur.”
Translation:
“I don’t know if I’m happy, but more and more, I like being alive. And also accepting moments of unhappiness. Because it’s a bit of that, actually. To be happy is to also sometimes accept that it’s not going to go well. It’s a bit stupid what I’m about to say, but I find that to be happy, you maybe have to let go of the question of happiness.”
Not stupid at all.