Happiness

[LucasM]

People seek happiness.

Yet, would you want to be happy all the time?
Perhaps the happiness sought is not a state of exuberance,
but more an inner joy, a contentment, a satisfaction.

Thus there is nothing wrong with feeling sad, as long as you do not let it consume you, and extinguish the inner flame. Taste and contrast.

But the happiness sought is most of the time superficial, obtained through superficial means.

Life is a journey.
Life is a destination.
Every moment is an experience that can be experienced for what it is.

 

[echoplex]

I honestly don't know if happiness is even a realistic possibility for me. I seem to be drawn to discontent. I kind of like conflict.

 

[Ermine]

It depends on what you mean by happiness. My personal definition would be fulfillment and long term satisfaction. I don't think I would be happy if I were on an emotional high all the time.

 

[Artifice Orisit]

Due to the dualality of the human mind we may never be truely happy, because on some sick sad level we want to know suffering, if only not to miss out on it.

But in a strange twist if suffering has purpose than it can be enjoyed, for the furfillment of this gives purpose gives meaning to the life of the person suffering.

I suffer for reason, ergo, there is reason in my suffering.

 

[hopefulmonster]

I decided to stop seeking happiness and just try to be content. This has ironically led to me being happy.

 

[Inappropriate Behavior]

I decided to stop seeking happiness and just try to be content. This has ironically led to me being happy.

The less you seek happiness, the more likely you will find it. I found it to be true because my expectations lowered and thus was less frequently disappointed

 

[Kuu]

I suffer for reason, ergo, there is reason in my suffering.

Brilliant! That articulates a thought that had been vaguely floating in my mind for monthts...

Suffering is inherent, and naturally occurring to humans. We must learn to exploit this free and renewable resource to our advantage

 

[Dissident]

Is suffering really antithetical to happiness? If so, you'd have to close your eyes and ears to many things in order to be happy, it doesn't sound right (but then again, maybe ignorance is bliss). I think that you can be happy despite suffering if: A) You know the reason. B) You are doing what you can about it. C) You consciously choose to endure that suffering for something more important , etc.