Happiness (reject)

Lightkeeper · #1 01-17-2005, 05:46 PM

Is happiness a natural state? Can we make others happy? Who is responsible for our happiness? What do you do to make yourself happy?

Circle_One · #2 01-17-2005, 05:52 PM

I'm not sure if I think happiness is a natural state or not, I shall have to ponder that thought further before answering.

I think we can try to make others happy but in the end it is up to the person/people themselves whether our attempts truly make them happy or not.

We are responsible for making ourselves happy. We are also responsible for whether we choose to allow others to aid in our happy-making or not.

I listen to music to make myself happy.

t3gah · #3 01-17-2005, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lightkeeper

Who is responsible for our happiness?

In the USA as you may or may not know, its Uncle Sam that allows us working folk make a living and take home that green cotton/paper money they make. And of course our 'free society' is another plus as opposed to a dictorship like Cuba!

Sunstone · #4 01-17-2005, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lightkeeper

Is happiness a natural state?

Of course it is. So is sadness. Both are natural states.

Quote:

Can we make others happy?

There are people who seem opposed to happiness. Nothing we do can make those people happy.

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Who is responsible for our happiness?

We are responsible for our own happiness.

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What do you do to make yourself happy?

I spread jelly on my chest and let my dog lick it off.

Scuba Pete · #5 01-17-2005, 07:29 PM

Happiness is best found in the state of Florida (which is why I am the happiest user here

).

Sunshine, warmth (but not tomorrow), and tons of diving sites make this hands down the best place to find true happiness!

Ceridwen018 · #6 01-17-2005, 07:41 PM

Life is simple, I am convinced. If you want to be happy, surround yourself with people and things that make you happy, and reject and ignore those that make you unhappy. There is a delicate balance here of course--sometimes you have to do things which immediately make you unhappy, but that will result in happiness, but this goes without saying. Also, you cannot let others define your happiness-you must create it for yourself.

I have an example. My dad and I do not get along, and I try to speak to him as little as possible, (it's been easier since he's moved out

). I get crap from my mom and my relatives about how I only have one father, and how I can't shut him out--for whatever mysterious reason that none of them seem to be able to define. The fact of the matter is that I am extremely unhappy when I am around him or talking to him, and very happy when he is gone. I am not going to bow to the pressure of what people around me think I should do, and sacrifice my happiness in the meantime.

Sunstone · #7 01-17-2005, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ceridwen018

If you want to be happy, surround yourself with people and things that make you happy...

I agree. There should be no real reason you can't be happy if you are in possesion of a dog and a jar of jelly.

Melody · #8 01-17-2005, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lightkeeper

Is happiness a natural state? Can we make others happy? Who is responsible for our happiness? What do you do to make yourself happy?

I think it depends on the personality. Some people are just born to be miserable and spend their life self-destructing. Others are perpetually perky.

I think we can create a happy situation on an impermanent basis for others, but ultimately their happiness is in their hands.

Lots of things make me happy, but if I had to pick one....looking through my photo albums because they bring back lots of really good memories that make me smile.

Melody

Lightkeeper · #9 01-17-2005, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ceridwen018

Life is simple, I am convinced. If you want to be happy, surround yourself with people and things that make you happy, and reject and ignore those that make you unhappy. There is a delicate balance here of course--sometimes you have to do things which immediately make you unhappy, but that will result in happiness, but this goes without saying. Also, you cannot let others define your happiness-you must create it for yourself.

I have an example. My dad and I do not get along, and I try to speak to him as little as possible, (it's been easier since he's moved out

). I get crap from my mom and my relatives about how I only have one father, and how I can't shut him out--for whatever mysterious reason that none of them seem to be able to define. The fact of the matter is that I am extremely unhappy when I am around him or talking to him, and very happy when he is gone. I am not going to bow to the pressure of what people around me think I should do, and sacrifice my happiness in the meantime.

I wonder if it's that simple. What if you have a child with a serious problem? Do you walk out? What if your beloved spouse has a serious problem, do you walk out? We will have rough times. Successfully, working through the rough times can bring happiness.

Ceridwen018 · #10 01-17-2005, 09:02 PM

Yes Lightkeeper, I did mention that. Nothing is perfect--many times we have to struggle to acheive good things. It's just part of life. However, the fruitless struggle is the one that we need to abandon. I just see people everyday subjecting themselves to things that make them unhappy, and there's no light at the end of the tunnel for them. Be it a failing marriage or a monotonous job, there are some things out there that do more harm to us than good.

I don't want people to get the wrong impression here--I am not the type of person who just quits at something once the going gets tough, but I think that we can all agree that there are times when enough is enough. ...I'm a poet and I did not know it!