In Greek mythology, King Midas is granted one wish after performing an act of kindness. He asks for the power to turn everything he touches into gold, believing that wealth is the ultimate source of happiness. Very quickly, this gift becomes a curse. Food, objects, and even people turn to gold at his touch, stripping life of its vitality and meaning. Midas soon realizes that his singular focus on happiness—as he defined it—destroys the very conditions that make life possible. Desperate, he begs the gods to reverse the curse, which they do after ordering him to bathe in a river.

The story of King Midas offers a powerful metaphor for a core dilemma of modern life: our relentless pursuit of happiness.

Midas’s story mirrors our contemporary obsession with being happy. We are constantly encouraged—by culture, family, and media—to maximize happiness and minimize discomfort. Yet some of the most meaningful moments in life are inseparable from pain, vulnerability, and uncertainty. Joy and suffering often coexist, and it is precisely this tension that gives life depth and meaning.

Can a meaningful relationship exist without moments of hurt, fear, and emotional risk? Is parenting possible without worry and struggle? Can major life transitions occur without doubt or

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