By Isaac Kim
“Using money on activities rather than purchasing objects will give you more happiness.”
French novelist Francois Lelord, 60, author of the bestseller Voyage d’Hector ou La Recherche Du Bonheur, is visiting here and met with readers.
Celebrating the release of his new novel, Hector Et Les Secrets De L’amour, Lelord visited Institut Francais in Seoul and answered questions on happiness and peace.
“Memories of joy and glee last longer when learning something, traveling, or going out on weekends,” he explained. “Buying new things does bring pleasure, but the feeling diminishes when you begin comparing them to material items.”
When questioned about which happiness to pursue, he replied, “Eating chips and watching TV, going to see the opera, or reading Shakespeare are all sources of happiness. In the latter case, it educates and trains you to focus on a high dimensional state, which gives you a more profound happiness.
“But sometimes, you have to do whatever you feel like doing,” he concluded as the audience burst into laughter.
A college student asked Lelord if a person should conform to what society demands or pursue his or her own interests. Lelord replied, “Do what you want and pursue happiness. Keep in mind you could fail and still be unhappy. However, failure is a right in itself.”