Happiness

[Sumpta]

Enjoyable read. I do like your posts, but the insights can be too elaborated. The problem with philosophy and the big questions of life, is that it is easy to make threadbare points. On some points, there is not always the need to be explicit. The best writers leave some gaps to be filled in by the reader, even if this means that not every reader will get your precise meaning.

 

 

 

Turning away from the reasons for happiness to the mystery of the feeling itself... Yesterday, I read the following sentence, by an author who excels in succintness, and she completely sums up my feelings about happiness:

 

 

 

"...and Elizabeth [...] rather knew that she was happy than felt herself to be so." (From Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen)

 

 

 

I often feel like this. I'm aware I'm going through a very happy period, but I don't really feel it. Happiness is hardly quantifiable and it is usually a sentiment that is rather felt after a certain period in your life than during it (namely, when your life is worse).

[Ginger_Warrior]

Happiness and wellbeing are two different things. I could have all the money in the world with which I could entertain myself to my heart's desire, have the best private health insurance possible, eat the best food, associate myself with the perfect company - but would I be happy?

 

 

 

I can honestly say I wouldn't. Why? Because I'm well, not happy. I'm in a constant state of perfection. What's there to be happy about? I can't ever be not well off, so it's a redundant emotion.

 

 

 

Sometimes, you have to fall a little in order to realise what made you feel good initially. Happiness for me is as much a realisation I'm getting over the bad times as looking forward to the good times. Friends don't make me feel happy about that, just comforted they'll be there, for when times get bad again. All that does is allow me to be more confident about myself, but that alone doesn't make me happy.

 

 

 

For me, happiness lies in the adventure of life, not the meaning of it.

[muggiwhplar]

I thought about this a while back - happiness varies from person to person, depending on your personality type and goals.

 

 

 

A disturbing thing to keep in mind - we don't have any genes or anything that can give us a feeling of complete happiness. There's people who have billions of dollars and still want more, people who have three girlfriends and still want more, etc. It's impossible to achieve complete happiness so you have to realize what you really want and then focus on getting it and becoming happy with what you have.

 

 

 

A lot of people have problems accepting themselves so they're always getting jealous/envious of other people, thinking that other people have achieved complete happiness when they really haven't. Poor people think once they get rich, they'll no longer be unhappy, virgins think once they get laid, they'll no longer be needy/unattractive, etc.

 

 

 

For me, happiness is the product of self-actualization, close friends, love, and a sense of achievement from various goals I've set for myself. If more people thought about things like that, they'd waste a lot less time on pointless goals which won't bring them as much happiness as they think it will... they'll realize they can be happy with what they already have.

[Perakp]

If it is coded in the human nature that reaching complete happiness is impossible, then what does this tell of the concept of paradise or heaven?

 

I'm sorry to bring religion into this but it fits perfectly and I'd like to hear what you think.

 

 

 

If you reached complete happiness, you wouldn't want anything anymore, you wouldn't envy others, you would have no goals, no purpose. Would you be human anymore?

[fatbill]

A good read and after reading no. 10 of your old posts you tried to get back im abit annoyed I did not read them all.

 

 

 

This post does ask though what are we working towards?

 

 

 

 

 

I suppose happiness depends on the person and what they find enjoyable but to be happy all the time I think would be impossible.

[Zierro]

Sometimes, you have to fall a little in order to realise what made you feel good initially. Happiness for me is as much a realisation I'm getting over the bad times as looking forward to the good times. Friends don't make me feel happy about that, just comforted they'll be there, for when times get bad again. All that does is allow me to be more confident about myself, but that alone doesn't make me happy.

 

 

 

For me, happiness lies in the adventure of life, not the meaning of it.

 

 

 

Yeah, I agree. That's how I handle all of the bad times in my life. I just think to myself that things will always get better - and it's always true. In order to be happy, you have to choose to be happy.

[Rebdragon]

And sometimes you just have to accept your sadness and embrace it, realizing it's there for a reason. A fact society today doesn't seem to get.

[urbestfreind]

:shock:

 

 

 

That post was amazing. Been awhile since I've read a post on here that really made me sit and think for awhile.

 

 

 

I don't really know what to say, except thanks for deciding to post. Now I know why people used to talk about how great your posts were.

 

 

 

Most of the other posts in this topic are really good as well. I've got quite a bit to think about and share now. I'll make sure to backup this thread, in case you ever lose it and need to find it again.

 

 

 

Then again, I love reading about philosophy. It's always been fascinating to me.

 

 

 

Sumpta13 - that last post you made is a pretty good wording of my opinion on the subject.

[AceSpitball]

Well written. I agree with alot (if not all) of your points.

[thrash-boy]

a really good post. i was going to read it days ago but just got round to it

[Kenshinjapan]

But! Do we all really seek happiness? A question I've asked myself as of late.

 

 

 

I ask myself that frequently, I don't remember ever feeling happy :oops: .

 

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OT, I've read that wall of text a couple times within the day it was posted. I've sat here for about 30 minutes or so after each read, trying to conjure some sort of response. I still don't really know what to say...

 

 

 

Is that island your personal retreat in life? Is that what keeps you happy? I've never had that true feeling of appreciation for any place I've been, I didn't even feel slightly different after looking at your picture :| . I go through the motions of school every day, not having any real challenge in my studies, coming straight home to play WOW or relax. Thing is, I don't really enjoy the game, but I don't want to change anything (I've always been a stubborn person). I'm not obsessed, mind you, and I don't dread logging on after a long day at school. I live a simplistic life, I don't have a job, don't need the money, being forced to get one soon due to the lack of activity around the house. I'm funny in school, never talk to any of my friends outside of school, I'm distrusting, you could say antisocial. I enjoy debating/arguing with others yet I honestly hate 80% of peoples' views here, yet I still come back every day. I don't have any true friend irl, none of them do I have anything in common with, not 1 person can I relate to. I go to lunch with 2 guys every day, one is a selfish sports freak, the other is an annoying kid obsessed with any and all giant trucks, I hate people who talk only about cars, especially trucks. Both of them are ADD, I hate hyper people. Those saying you can find anyone on the internet are lying, I still haven't found a place to fit in. Every group has their own crowds since they all have the same interests, I can't relate...

 

 

 

I don't know what to do :| .

[darksonic45]

I really didn't think that you could top the 10 days threads but you did. Amazing :D (also the picture of your happiness was a pretty amazing view)

[ChaosFlames]

Simply...wow =D> Long read, but completely worth it.

 

 

 

Love, hobbies, friends, and being yourself.

 

 

 

 

Some of the very basic, simple things in life, yet are often taken for granted. Well, something to that extent xD. I'm going to tell you right now, I can never find the right words in order to express what I truly feel, (which makes my essays ftl) but I simply love how you broke down 'Happiness' to those 4 simple things. Also, I'm starting to get a lot more into psychology/philosophy :mrgreen:

 

 

 

Regardless, bravo. :thumbup:

[db300]

This is the best topic I've seen here in awhile. I'm at a loss for words right now, but I can say that a lot topic reminds me of my personal experiences.