Is There Only One Way To Be Happy?

[JustGeorge]

Upon talking with people through the years, I sometimes meet a person who feels some way of life or way of thinking is the cure for all ailments. Sometimes this is a religious view, other times an antireligious view. Sometimes its political, others philosophical. But, any way you look at it, the argument is made that if only everyone would embrace such and such, the world or the individual would finally be at peace.

On an individual level, do you feel there is any such way? How about on a larger scale?

 

[Spirit of Light]

Upon talking with people through the years, I sometimes meet a person who feels some way of life or way of thinking is the cure for all ailments. Sometimes this is a religious view, other times an antireligious view. Sometimes its political, others philosophical. But, any way you look at it, the argument is made that if only everyone would embrace such and such, the world or the individual would finally be at peace.

On an individual level, do you feel there is any such way? How about on a larger scale?

In danger of getting critiqued by some I would say no there is not just one way to be happy. Each person can find their individual way toward happiness. But they can be inspired by others to gain that wisdom to full happiness from within them self

 

[JustGeorge]

In danger of getting critiqued by some I

In order to take that danger out, I put this in the discussion section.

 

[Spirit of Light]

In order to take that danger out, I put this in the discussion section.

I think i can handle the critique now

 

[Twilight Hue]

Upon talking with people through the years, I sometimes meet a person who feels some way of life or way of thinking is the cure for all ailments. Sometimes this is a religious view, other times an antireligious view. Sometimes its political, others philosophical. But, any way you look at it, the argument is made that if only everyone would embrace such and such, the world or the individual would finally be at peace.

On an individual level, do you feel there is any such way? How about on a larger scale?

Most people hopefully know by now that there is no universal cure all.

A person can want and desires and even feel better for it, but wanting something so badly that it must be real dosent make it so in actuality.

 

[Twilight Hue]

In order to take that danger out, I put this in the discussion section.

That's no fun. How else can one build character? *grin*

 

[JustGeorge]

I think i can handle the critique now

I think you can, too!

I, however, sometimes like to take a break from poo flingin'. Sometimes my poo-proof outerwear has to go to the dry cleaners, and today is one of those days.

 

[Spirit of Light]

I think you can, too!

I, however, sometimes like to take a break from poo flingin'. Sometimes my poo-proof outerwear has to go to the dry cleaners, and today is one of those days.

You have to buy a poo canon too so you can fling it right back at them

 

[JustGeorge]

A person can want and desires and even feel better for it, but wanting something so badly that it must be real dosent make it so in actuality.

Ah, that's an interesting thought. I wonder if sometimes there isn't a push to think/feel a certain way so as to feel superior. I remember being a teen and having a few social beliefs I didn't question, as these were just the way 'good' people felt about life.

You have to buy a poo canon too so you can fling it right back at them

I'm going to have to save up my money for one of those.

 

[JustGeorge]

How else can one build character? *grin*

Watch my kids for a few hours. You'll see how I build character...

 

[Bird123]

Upon talking with people through the years, I sometimes meet a person who feels some way of life or way of thinking is the cure for all ailments. Sometimes this is a religious view, other times an antireligious view. Sometimes its political, others philosophical. But, any way you look at it, the argument is made that if only everyone would embrace such and such, the world or the individual would finally be at peace.

On an individual level, do you feel there is any such way? How about on a larger scale?

You are right. There is only one way to be happy. Happiness is no more than a Choice. All one must do is Choose to be Happy!!

That's what I see. It's very clear!!

 

[Secret Chief]

There is not one way. If it was attempted, the world would run out of cat litter.

 

[JustGeorge]

You are right. There is only one way to be happy. Happiness is no more than a Choice. All one must do is Choose to be Happy!!

That's what I see. It's very clear!!

I agree with this, overall. Though sometimes something occasionally pops up to temporarily cripple, I overall see that most happy people are usually happy, and most miserable people are usually miserable. Not a lot of variation in outlook.

There is not one way. If it was attempted, the world would run out of cat litter.

There's always sandboxes.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

On an individual level, do you feel there is any such way? How about on a larger scale?

Realize happiness is a fleeting feeling that cannot be obtained forever. And, truly, it isn't happiness that makes us feel good in life but rather our satisfaction, achievements, accomplishments, our connections, our contributions, and other things that inherently come with much blood, sweat, and tears than is not pleasant or won't bring happiness. And while we are rightfully happy to accomplish a goal, the happiness will fade tomorrow. Pride in a worthy achievement will last your life.

 

[Windwalker]

I was just thinking, there is perhaps only one way to be truly happy. And that is in being authentic. How can we be truly happy if we aren't really true to who we are?

 

[JustGeorge]

Realize happiness is a fleeting feeling that cannot be obtained forever. And, truly, it isn't happiness that makes us feel good in life but rather our satisfaction, achievements, accomplishments, our connections, our contributions, and other things that inherently come with much blood, sweat, and tears than is not pleasant or won't bring happiness. And while we are rightfully happy to accomplish a goal, the happiness will fade tomorrow. Pride in a worthy achievement will last your life.

Do you think a person can be happy without contributing/achieving much, or do you think those accomplishments just look different for different people?

I was just thinking, there is perhaps only one way to be truly happy. And that is in being authentic. How can we be truly happy if we aren't really true to who we are?

This can be a big factor. Being someone else is exhausting.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

Do you think a person can be happy without contributing/achieving much

No.

do you think those accomplishments just look different for different people?

Yes, I think, understanding your post to mean what feels like an accomplishment and contributing will vary from person to person. Study after study indicates we fair better when we are being productive and contributing. Not in a capitalist/consumer sense but doing things that make a difference. Even if it's something very small, like helping someone at the grocery store or a friendly gesture that perks someone up, these things tend to go much further in a psychological well being than seeking happiness (and those things will typically bring many moments of joy and happiness along the way). And though we do tend to attach providing to men, women also do much providing (probably more so than men), with men and women basically taking different paths (in general) to reach the same ends.
Our social relationships is another facet that consistently rates higher than happiness. And, again men and women take different paths (such as men tending to prefer group socializing and women having more one-on-one socializing) to reach the same ends of a satisfaction, security, and comfort from our social relations. And, again this too also brings happiness (and many other emotions) along the way.

 

[Bird123]

I agree with this, overall. Though sometimes something occasionally pops up to temporarily cripple, I overall see that most happy people are usually happy, and most miserable people are usually miserable. Not a lot of variation in outlook.



There's always sandboxes.

We all have the power to Choose what we deem important. One can choose to value the goodness, love and kindness in the world OR one can choose to value the doom, gloom. hate, and hurt. Happiness has always been right in our own little hands. On the other hand, you are right. Understanding Happiness for so many seems hard to come by. Point them in the right direction. The light bulb just might go off over their heads.

That's what I see. It's very clear.

 

[Trailblazer]

Upon talking with people through the years, I sometimes meet a person who feels some way of life or way of thinking is the cure for all ailments. Sometimes this is a religious view, other times an antireligious view. Sometimes its political, others philosophical. But, any way you look at it, the argument is made that if only everyone would embrace such and such, the world or the individual would finally be at peace.

On an individual level, do you feel there is any such way? How about on a larger scale?

I could not have said it any better than ConsciousThoughts said it in Post #2.
That said, I could go on and on about the difference between material happiness and spiritual happiness.... maybe later.
For now, suffice to say that I do not pursue happiness.

 

[Trailblazer]

There is not one way. If it was attempted, the world would run out of cat litter.

And if everyone was like me there would not be enough cats to go around.