Most people want to be happy but they go about in a way that is tangential/orthogonal to that primary goal. For example; some pursue getting rich, being famous

Most people want to be happy but they go about in a way that is tangential/orthogonal to that primary goal. For example; some pursue getting rich, being famous or retiring early thinking that will make them happy. Instead pursuing that, find a job/work that makes you happy. You'll get more happiness "under the curve" than say, retiring early. Avoid any sort of "I'll suffer for years so I can be happy at some time in the future." I only have 2-3 years left to live and I have very few regrets. I've always taken a moment to stop and smelled the flowers. (The smelling thing may be because I think I might been a golden retriever in my last life.)