Tuesday, 13 October 2009
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What Is Happiness?
"Life is pain, Highness. Anyone who says differently is selling something." Man in Black, Princess Bride 1987
Some days I feel as though there are great mountains to be climbed, and others, I feel as though I have absolutely nothing at all to do in this life. Why does life have to be so chaotic?!I love the things I am getting to see now. I am tired of the same things as always going on in my religious/spiritual life, but the church will always be the same lest Jesus himself came down and burned it to the ground. I can still think of some believers who would call Him Satan and try to bind Him because He wasn't fitting their mold.
As for other things in life, I see them morphing and changing and I don't really know what to expect next. So many seasons, so many changes and absolutely no way to know when they are there until they are in full swing and you are stuck! There is a great deal of hope for the morrow, yet so much uncertainty filling my head. I do feel peace, in some weird way that I can't really put my finger on or understand, but I know things will get better soon.
Things are okay. I am happy, for the most part. Weird thing is, I don't think I'm really trying that hard to be happy. Maybe that's the trick. I have had to strive for so long to be happy or at least content, through many hard times most that seemed endless. What is it that now gives me so much peace? Is it really just not doing anything? Just allowing oneself to relax and allow themselves to "go with the flow" of life so to speak? Is it really that simple?
What do you think it means to be happy? Have you ever felt peace that you couldn't really figure out why you felt it? Or is being happy over rated?
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- From: therantingprophet
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Comments (10)
My philosophy teacher has kind of brushed over this. By studying different writers (like Aristotle and Mill for example) he explained that every action we do is to either try to obtain happiness or avoid pain/discomfort. It makes sense to me although it is a huge claim because most choices we make usually fit into those two categories. And sometimes when life is hectic, the choices we make do affect the outcome: Do you do all that homework you have, or do you spend all night on facebook and make the situation work? both will give you 'happiness', but facebook = instant gratification whereas working on homework will eventually get you to no be stressed out, therefore, one would assume, happier. And when life is going smooth, the choices we make might eventually affect us once life gets hectic again...for example, do you study for a big test ahead of time when you have little conflict, or do you procrastinate until you have a ton of things going on, and you have to cram it all in really quick?
And when we feel inner peace it seems strange because as humans, I think it's because we're so used to deadlines (have to go to the bank, have to fix the car/ house, etc). To not have anything to worry about makes us second guess ourself, "Did I have anything important to do today? Am I forgetting something?" And when (like you said in your post) you feel you aren't trying to be happy, it's because you already have done things to make you happy. Like...your previous choices in the last weeks/months led you to feel a somewhat inner peace.
I dunno, that's how I understand it. Sorry if I confused anyone. :P
It's definitely not over rated. Enjoy this time. I believe it has to do with choices we make, systems we have in our life (habits and efforts that deal with the lower 2 levels of Maslow's pyramid), openness to love, time for self-reflection, acknowledging a higher power, and a dose of selflessness. Thanks for making your readers think about this...
I think happiness is a choice really, and it comes and goes usually based on circumstances. What is/can be a constant, is contentment. Peace no matter the circumstances. Attainable through a relationship with Christ.
@sugartomyhoney@xanga - Amen to that, though I was going to use "joy" instead of "contentment." Totally, though, seeking happiness where it is lasting, and only God is lasting, and it is through Christ that we come to God. What is happiness worth unless it is lasting? Nothing.
ths for the inspiring post.
i think i feel quite peaceful these day under jesus's healing the wound brought by this by-far evilest nightmare ever happened to me a few days back.i mean id still freak out from time to time still since its too fresh a memory but then ill remind myself of the fact tht jesus will make it rite for me i jus tell myself to get over it and do wat he wants me to for the moment:D.
When you read about any truly great figure in history, you'll find that although they stand in our minds as shining swords of righteousness they too faced many problems and at times felt like giving up. The fact that some faced the harshest of circumstances made them all the stronger. It is by facing our problems that we purify the metal of our lives in fire. True happiness is not found in the passive state of avoidance. I guarantee you that people who shine have failed many times in their lives but they never gave up. Many believe that doing God's work applies to something outside of ourselves. That is a part of it but truly doing God's work is battling our inner demons and purifying our own lives. The historical Buddha, Shakyamuni said, "Though one may conquer a thousand times a thousand men in battle, yet he indeed is the noblest victor who conquers himself." Mahatma Gandhi said, "We must be the change we wish to see in the world."
How can one understand the problems of others if one himself has never had problems? There is a story about a woman who, distraught over the death of her child, sought out Shakyamuni. Upon finding him she implored him to bring her child back to life. He said to her, "I will first need you to go into the village and collect a vessel of water from any person who has not lost a loved one and bring it to me." She returned later in tears. She told him that she had knocked on every door, spoken to every person but there was not one who could tell her they had not lost a loved one and their many stories were heartbreaking. She felt so sad for all of these people. Shakyamuni began easing her pain by teaching her the path to true happiness.
Don't let problems get you down and when you see a friend who is having problems don't shy away from him or her but offer words of encouragement as best as you can. Challenge problems with your entire being because just as the shadow follows the body, problems will always be with you.
Happiness is a choice that any of us can make regardless of our life circumstances. The apostle Paul, sitting in prison facing possible execution, wrote "I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation" (Phil. 4:11).
We can learn the same secret. I'm working on it. For more, see http://amzn.com/144218776X
It all depend on how you look at it.
happiness is generally a mental and emotional response to temporary external stimulation, in response to perceived need. Happiness is a demonstration or expression reliant on a series of events that may or may not occur.Happiness is a mental inspiration in response to physical stimulation. Happiness, which is more often than not based on something physical and tangible, can come and go, moment to moment. Happiness is hoping that it will be soon. Happiness is trying to figure out what is true from what is false. When you figure it out, you are happy. When you do not or cannot figure it out, happiness escapes you. Happiness is a response to where you are and what happens to you while you are there. Happiness is the quest for temporary Pleasure.
Joy is an internal process grounded in knowledge of spiritual truth, the ability to trust the wisdom of God, and faith in the perfect and perfecting process of life. Joy is a state of being. Joy is emotional stimulation in response to spiritual inspiration.
Do Happiness and Joy look alike?(yes) Do they feel alike? 9sometimes) Do joy and happiness reap the same results in your life?(Absolutely not
!)
Joy, because it is grounded inthe spirit,has amore far-reaching and lasting impact. Joy is knowing that everything is okay reigh now. Joy is the ability torecognize and discern the truth.
Joy stay with you no matter where you are and what is going on. Joy is the knowledge of unconditional love.
Can you have joy without happiness? (no) Can yo have happiness without joy? (for a brief time, yes) Can joy lead to happiness? (almost always does.) Can happiness lead to joy? (absolutely not!)
Whenever your stae of being is dependent on external factors, it is temporary and not joyous.
True happiness is found in moral rectitude given by the Lord. Your moral righteousness can only be affirmed by your heart, which govern your actions. Hence, the person who lives for the vision of the Lord and achieves that vision is truly happy indeed.
tau_1@xanga said what I was going to say, although he used more words.
alegory? no... think... Renaisance Man w/ Danny DeVito... "all men are..." Metaphor:
Happiness is O.K. but short-lived, because that's when the world is agreeing with my wishes.
Joy is when I'm agreeing with God's wishes that can be VERY long-lived, and get stronger whatever the circumstances..