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Thu 16 Apr, 2009 06:31 pm
Time for a real question methinks.
How do we, the human species, achieve happiness? Not as a group but as individuals?
My belief is that happiness is an illusion, based on those moments of ecstacy we experience in our lives.
I quote from what I regard as the USA Book of the Dead, equivalent to the Tibetan version, "The Diceman" by Luke Rheinhart :
"Life is an ocean of ennui dotted with islands of ecstacy/joy. It's just that after age 30 we rarely sight land."
Or another great philosopher, named as "Anonymous grafitti writer " Life is like a pubic hair on a toilet bowl. Sometimes you just get pissed off".
I used to believe happiness was achievable but never got there myself. I finally decided it was definitely not a long term condition. Humans aren't built that way are they? We can define what we want to make us happy but inevitably once we achieve that, guess what? We become dissatisfied and want more.
If anyone wanted to argue the case for God, the perfect Creator, here is the fatal design flaw that destroys that myth.
Happiness to me equates to peace and security. Mental conditions both. The outside world matters not if we have those things in us.
What say you?
Frivolity, being the main mode of response on this site, is most definitely welcome and encouraged as that is the most likely path to any joy, fun, happiness.
Have at it.
i saw a rabbit on the neighbours lawn this morning
@djjd62,
A racoon came into my kitchen once.
@chai2,
oh wait...that didn't make me happy at all.
my ice plants have lots of bees in them, buzz buzz buzzing around.
that makes me happy.
@chai2,
Bit messy but whatever turns you on mate.
@midnightcowboy,
Some would say that happiness cannot be
achieved because striving is a source of conflict and its by product
unhappiness. In other words happiness comes with the realisation that all is constantly changing. We should go with the flow and enjoy the ride.
@fresco,
happiness is
happiness is
happiness is
different things to different people
thats what happiness is
i was definitely singing all the aitches when confronted with a demand to explain my shower serenade
lennon believed that happiness was a warm gun
schulz believed that happiness was a warm puppy
i figure it's a bit of both, happiness is an armed puppy
i'm going for a walk, i'm packin', i'll poop were i want
Total happiness will never happen. Unless you have experienced unhappiness, you won't know what happiness is.
Try to achieve realistic goals in your life; many people try to achieve impossible goals, and make themselves unhappy by not achieving it.
Try to have or go into a profession that'll make you happy most of your life. Too many go into a profession based on their parent's demands/wishes. I told my two sons that I expected them to go to college, but they can decide the profession. College grads income over their lifetimes makes more than high school graduates. Money doesn't bring happiness, but it allows for many luxuries like world travel.
Be good to your family and friends.
Most people on this planet are good people; they desire the same for their children's happiness.
Save about 15% of your income for your retirement, and invest in institutional funds that have performed well during good and bad economic times. Always diversify your investments between funds and bonds; heavier on equities while young, and heavier in bonds as you approach retirement.
Good luck.
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