“Every now and then it is good to take a break in our search for happiness and simply be happy.”• Guillaume Apollinaire, French Poet and Art Critic
🧠 Who is Guillaume Apollinaire?
- Lived: 1880 - 1918
- Known as: Poet, Playwright, Art Critic
- Famous for:
- A leading figure in the development of modern poetry and a key figure in the Cubist movement in art
- Writing poems like The Calligrammes (a collection where poetry is visual art), and being one of the first to use visual poetry or calligrams
- His role in early Surrealism, with his innovative use of language and free-verse writing style
- Mentoring and influencing a generation of poets and artists in early 20th-century Paris
- Contributions:
- Apollinaire introduced a new wave of poetry that blurred the line between literature and visual art
- He was a bridge between classical poetry and avant-garde art, embracing both modernist movements and surrealism
- His death from the Spanish Flu at age 38 marked a tragic end to a life full of creative energy and revolutionary ideas
The quote reflects Apollinaire's belief in the value of living in the moment and stepping away from the endless pursuit of happiness.
He suggests that searching for happiness can often distract us from the simple joy of being content in the present.
In other words:
- Happiness doesn’t always need to be sought after, sometimes it’s about stopping the search and letting it be.
- Taking a break from constant striving helps us recognize that happiness exists in the present moment, not only in future goals or achievements.
Apollinaire’s message aligns with modern mindfulness, where true happiness comes from letting go of the constant chase and appreciating the now.