Happiness is Only Real When Shared: The Life of Chris McCandless
Have you ever felt the need to get away from it all?
To leave the hustle and grind of your everyday life behind and find some peace and quiet in nature?
For Chris McCandless, this was a way of life and something he would do.
In 1992, McCandless famously left society behind to journey into the Alaskan wilderness.
What resulted was the adventure of a lifetime – an enduring reminder that happiness is only real when shared. He passed away shortly after realizing this.
His adventures and true-life story are featured in the book and film entitled “Into the Wild,” which is based on his journals.
Why Happiness is Only Real When Shared
Happiness is only real when shared with others because it comes from feeling connected to them.
When we are happy, it’s because something made us feel good, and we’ve likely shared that experience with someone else.
Whether it’s a simple conversation, a hug, or even just a smile.
We feel connected when we share our happiness with others, and that connection is what makes our happiness real.
What Happens When We’re Lonely
When we’re alone, it’s hard to access the feeling of joy or connection that comes with being happy because there isn’t anyone else there for us to share it with.
Many studies show people who spend more time in solitude have lower levels of happiness and well-being.
This is because, at its core, happiness is an emotion that comes from a sense of connection with others.
We are not meant to be happy in isolation; we are designed to experience joy when sharing our lives with other people.
This is why happiness is only real when shared.
When we are alone, we don’t feel connected, so our happiness doesn’t feel real. But when we spend time with others who make us happy, they help us access the feeling of joy or connection that comes from being happy and sharing it with them.
Chris McCandless was an adventurer who spent his entire life searching for this happiness. He finally found it after giving everything up to live in the wilderness.
The Life of Christopher McCandless
Christopher McCandless, also known by his self-proclaimed nickname “Alexander Supertramp”, was born in El Segundo, California on February 12th, 1968.
His parents were Walter and Wilhelmina McCandless.
After Christopher graduated from Emory University with a Bachelors degree, he donated all his savings to charity. He hitchhiked to Alaska, where he was determined to live off the land as a true wilderness traveler.
After he starved to death, Chris’s dead body was found in an abandoned bus in the Alaskan Yukon territory.
He was unequipped and lacked the skills needed to survive the harsh Alaskan wilderness.
Christopher’s father, Walter McCandless, gave a speech at his son’s funeral in which he said, “He was a great kid… He wasn’t afraid of anything.”
Chris McCandless quote, life and message – happiness is only real when shared – inspire many.
Especially those who are seeking adventure and meaning right now in their lives.
Why Did Chris McCandless Go to Alaska?
There are many reasons McCandless went off into the wilderness of Alaska.
Here are a few:
- He wanted to feel like he could do anything he chose without the need for stoppage or judgment by others.
- To learn how to depend on himself and his strength.
- Live out in the wild where there was no danger of him holding other people back and no one being able to hold him back.
- To test his limits and discover how much he could endure
He was tired of letting others tell him what he could and could not do.
He felt like his life was being wasted by all the normal daily routines he kept following without any real meaning behind them. He wanted freedom more than anything else in his life.
So he decided it was time for a change and headed off to Alaska.
Why Did He Say This Quote – Happiness Is Only Real When Shared?
McCandless believes that happiness is only found when it is shared because it becomes more real and has a lasting impact.
When we keep our happiness to ourselves, it doesn’t mean anything in the grand scheme of things.
But when we share it with others, not only do we get to experience their joy in return, but we also create a connection with them that is deeper and more meaningful than any other type of relationship.
Plus, it just feels good to share happiness because it’s a sign that we are lucky enough to have someone valuable in our lives.
Life Lessons From The Movie Into The Wild
Many people watch this great movie and get inspired by Chris McCandless life story.
But after they watch it, they usually forget about it and move on with their lives, but what if you could take some life lessons from the movie?
Like…
Happiness is only real when shared: Chris McCandles knew this, and it was one of the reasons he gave up everything to go live in the wild. He wanted to find out if happiness could be found if he lived a life of simplicity.
And here are some other key lessons Chris McCandless life story has to offer us:
- Don’t take things for granted, because you never know when they will be taken away from you
- You don’t need a lot of money or material possessions to be happy
- Adventure and meaning can be found in the most unexpected places
- You’re never too old or young to do something you’re passionate about
- Don’t let others control your life – find your path and have the courage to follow it
5 Other Christopher McCandless Quotes
- “The most important thing in life is to find out what your passion is and then do everything you can to follow it.”
- “People are capable, at any time in their lives, of doing what they dream of.”
- “What makes us human is not our ability to feel pain but rather our capacity for love, compassion and empathy.”
- “The greatest challenge of your life is to find meaning in it.”
- “You don’t need a reason to help people.”
Share Your Happiness With Other People
Sharing your happiness with others is something we should all do.
Chris learned the importance of doing this, sharing happiness with others after spending weeks by himself in isolation.
So, if you’re lonely and want happiness in your life, then you need to share it with others first. Do this before expecting any happiness from them.
How to Share Your Happiness With Others
There are many ways to share your happiness with others.
One way is by simply telling them how you’re feeling and what’s going on in your life. This can be done in a conversation, through text or even on social media.
Another way is to perform random acts of kindness for people. This could involve buying someone else’s lunch anonymously, complimenting them or helping out with their chores.
You can also share your happiness by spending time with people you love and care about, like family members, friends, and co-workers.
This will not only make those around you happy, but it’ll bring joy into your life too!
What is The Meaning of True Happiness?
The meaning of true happiness is shared happiness.
True happiness comes from living a happy and virtuous life, which is a choice that each person makes, not something that can be achieved by material gain or the acquisition of knowledge (Aristotle).
It’s only when you share happiness with others that it becomes true happiness.
This is what Christopher McCandless meant when he stated, “Happiness is only real when shared.”
Sharing happiness with family and friends helps you feel happier and cherished. It also brings clarity and a new perspective.
Plus…
[snippet]When you focus on making others happy, you forget about your troubles and become a happier person yourself. So happiness isn’t something that can be found or possessed; it’s something that needs to be shared.[/snippet]
So the next time you feel unhappy, try making someone else feel better to find happiness for yourself!
And remember, happiness is only real when shared.
To Find Happiness Focus On The Good
While happiness can seem like an elusive goal, happiness is a choice.
When we are happy, we choose to find and focus on good things instead of the bad.
We can train our minds to look for the good in every situation, no matter how bad it seems. When we do this, happiness becomes easier and more natural to find.
For everything you need to be happy is already within you.
Being Happy Makes The World a Better Place
When we’re happy, it shows.
We become more positive, and our happiness is contagious. It spreads to the people around us and makes them happier too!
This not only helps make the world a better place but also improves our own lives.
Your happiness isn’t something that benefits one person at a time, but everyone that comes into contact with you. Happiness is only real when shared with others because you’re spreading love and joy when you’re happy!
Real happiness isn’t about being happy by yourself. It’s about making others feel better, which in turn makes them happier too.
This happiness is then shared with other people, and then it becomes a chain reaction of joy that spreads throughout the world.
That is why your happiness and happiness in general matters so much: because it can make the world a better place!
Happiness – Only Real When Shared
Happiness is a feeling that comes from within, but it’s even more fulfilling when shared with others.
Christopher McCandless’s story and journey are a perfect example of the importance of sharing happiness.
He went out into the wilderness to find peace and solace. But what he found instead was that his happiness was only real when it was shared with others.
The people he encountered on the journey and missed in the end when isolated showed him life is more fulfilling when you share your happiness with others.
We can all learn from McCandless’s story and make it a priority to share our happiness with others. When we do, we’ll see just how much better life and the world can be.
So, if you want to be truly happy and fulfilled, make sure you’re giving away your happiness as much as possible by sharing.
It doesn’t matter if it’s spending time with family, friends, or volunteering somewhere; what matters most is the intention and sharing of your happiness.
