Hector and the Search for Happiness

I just finished reading François Lelord’s Hector and the Search for Happiness, given to me by Connie. It is a simple book about Hector, a psychiatrist, who travels the world in search of what makes people happy. It is a fabilistic tale with anonymous entities (home country (France), the country of More (USA), Eduardo’s commodity (cocaine)), which I found slightly annoying at times, to have the reader think about what makes her happy. His list is below. Some resonate for me (*), while others less so.

This Hector would add: Happiness is being grateful for what you do have.

Lesson no. 1: Making comparisons can spoil your happiness.*

Lesson no. 2: Happiness often comes when least expected.

Lesson no. 3: Many people see happiness only in their future.

Lesson no. 4: Many people think that happiness comes from having more power or more money

Lesson no. 5: Sometimes happiness is not knowing the whole story.

Lesson no. 6: Happiness is a long walk in beautiful, unfamiliar mountains. *

Lesson no. 7: It’s a mistake to think that happiness is the goal.*

Lesson no. 8: Happiness is being with the people you love.*

Lesson no 8b: Unhappiness is being separated from the people you love.

Lesson no. 9: Happiness is knowing your family lacks for nothing.

Lesson no. 10: Happiness is doing a job you love.*

Lesson no. 11: Happiness is having a home and a garden of your own.

Lesson no. 12: It is hard to be happy in a country run by bad people

Lesson no. 13 Happiness is feeling useful to others.*

Lesson no. 14: Happiness is to be loved for exactly who you are.*

Lesson no. 15: Happiness comes when you feel truly alive.*

Lesson no. 16: Happiness is knowing how to celebrate.

Lesson no. 17: Happiness is caring about the happiness of those you love.**

Lesson no. 18: Happiness is not attaching to much importance to what other people think.

Lesson no. 19: The sun and the sea make everybody happy.