The pursuit of happiness fascinates me as an unreachable utopian model of society.
Happiness, according to some psychological studies, is notoriously found within. And because we are all different, happiness for each of us may differ.
So there are myriad ways to be happy, and what brings happiness to one person does not necessarily mean happiness for another.
In a healthy society, people negotiate how to live together while pursuing myriad individual goals. They unite in a sense of security and shared rules and economy for this purpose.
But as there are many ways to be happy, some still find their happiness in the unhappiness of others.
While in conventional society we stay away from such persons, we cannot always avoid interacting with them completely.
The extreme example of interaction with those who are against our right to pursue our own happiness — not dictated by them — is war.
War is a taboo. It is hard to talk about war in terms that would describe this process as productive. And yet — we are defending ourselves.
Defence is productive as long as our own life and existence are in danger. Our bodies fight against viruses and cancers.
Defence is the unavoidable fate of those who have been unlucky enough to have been deliberately injured.
Defence gives us a chance not only to survive but also to re-establish the balance, so that we remain free to be happy in our own particular way.
To stand against something as overwhelming as war or severe illness requires courage.
The Greek philosopher Aristotle famously defined ``courage’’ as a conscious decision. Courage, according to him, stands in the middle between cowardice and blind carelessness.
It is a golden mean between extreme fear and thoughtless bravery, as both lead to defeat. If you are stalled in fear in the moment of danger, you will not survive, and if you go blindly and unprepared against the enemy, you are also in great danger.
But if you consciously face danger with complete understanding, a measure of precaution, and the support of friends, you will overcome.
In fact, you will not only overcome but also come out stronger.
And lastly, about money and means. An inventive enough DIY population is more than capable of defending itself against much stronger forces.
Ukraine is now trying to convey these messages to the world: you are strong enough, despite what others tell you.
You can do it on a budget, despite some companies trying to convince you into the most expensive solutions.
And most importantly, you have the right to pursue your own way to be happy on your own terms within a diverse society. So never give up.
After the massive Russian strike on Kyiv and threats to the foreign diplomatic corps in Ukraine, courage prevails — the EU mission to Ukraine responded with the firm ``we will stay’’.
Ukraine is presently the best source of courage to draw from and rely on.
Since the beginning of the Russian invasion, Ukraine has transformed tremendously.
It is no longer a cause requiring charity but a unique and valuable multinational practical knowledge and high-tech engineering and testing hub.
Countries that have recognised this — Germany, Canada, Norway, Sweden, Japan, Saudi Arabia - are entering into partnerships with Ukraine.
New Zealand, a nation of practical problem-solvers, could start looking at Ukraine not with pity but with curiosity.
What was tested in the darkest of days has now returned as a light that nourishes not only those who endured it but also all those who wish to draw from it.
The pursuit of happiness is a fascinating thing. It works in mysterious ways.
• Olena Grubb is the Honorary Consul of Ukraine in Dunedin
