Personally, I would think that some people are destined to be happy, just as some are destined to be a "genius".
I understand the sentiment that chasing happiness without "purpose" or consideration to the world around you might make someone vain and hedonistic but I don't think that applies to being career driven. I do think a strong career drive (esp. external) will not make you happy, and may even be a source of discontentment.
> Personally, I would think that some people are destined to be happy, just as some are destined to be a "genius".
I think the submitted article tried to make clear that just being a gifted child isn't sufficient to become a "genius", and favorable circumstances play a big role in turning giftedness into exceptional accomplishment.
Thus, wouldn't the same apply to happiness? Even if there were natural predilections toward happiness, circumstances can play a big role too in bringing the predilections to fruition.
Perhaps one needs to be "tutored" about how to become happy.
That's probably true. It's a well-loved aphorism that money can't buy happiness... true enough, but not having money is certainly a source of unhappiness in small and large ways.
I understand the sentiment that chasing happiness without "purpose" or consideration to the world around you might make someone vain and hedonistic but I don't think that applies to being career driven. I do think a strong career drive (esp. external) will not make you happy, and may even be a source of discontentment.