1. ‘Who has happiness should hide it’
In Finland, we tend to believe that if you’ve found happiness, you shouldn’t show it. Arguably, this is a strange expression. Why should you hide your smile when the world treats you well?
This saying, coined by Finland’s national poet Eino Leino, stems from the modest national temperament. Overt displays of wealth and success are shunned here.
For example, in Helsinki, the capital, you will rarely see fancy or expensive cars on the streets. Even the CEOs and financial sharks here tend to drive boring Volvos and Volkswagens rather than anything that would make them stick out.
It’s human nature to compare ourselves to others, which often has a negative effect on our happiness. However, in Finland and other Nordic countries, people tend to be more oblivious to those comparisons — and more content.
2. ‘The pessimist will never be disappointed’
This is an old Finnish saying without any clear origin. It’s always just been a cultural constant.
We believe that setbacks are a fact of life. You will experience pain, disappointment and even tragedy. This isn’t something we’re frightened of because we know we have the tools we need to emotionally weather these challenges.
One of my favorite philosophers is Charles Peirce. He was an American, but his philosophy of “meliorism,” — essentially that things are neither the worst or the best but always “capable of improvement” — is an attitude that many Finnish people, myself included, share.
Whatever your situation, there is always something that can be made better. Accepting these inevitable struggles, while focusing on what is still in your hands and can be improved, will keep you active and energized even during tough times.
3. ‘Everyone is the blacksmith of their own happiness’
This is a saying that has roots in ancient Rome — “Faber est suae quisque fortunae” — but has long been quite popular in Finland. It reminds us that we all have to forge our own happiness. It will not be…
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