What is happiness?

[96Civ]

What makes a human being happy? What makes us 'feel good'.

Furthermore, what happiness is actually in our hands?

I considered this topic for the Stress Relief, but I think it will fit more here.

Is happiness about having a religion, having the choice to 'believe' in something?

Could it have something to do with playing little games, like as a child, or fetching a ball like a dog, running through the grass..

Is happiness related to goals in life, in ourselves and to our future?

Would it have something to do with being content, peacefull, oblivious to the moment or without a care in the world?

Or does limited intellegence play a roll? Not knowing about the world or how things work or the universe altogether? Not being able to establish having to be happy at all, so you are anyways?


Or could it just be chemicals in your brain that change for one of the top reasons that dicides 'for' you, to feel happy within a moments notice?


I'm unhappy having to be unable to find a job, or to have a girl to love, or my dream car, but is there something we are all missing?

[Oz]

Happiness is the right combination of brain chemicals. These can be stimulated in different circumstances and situations depending on the individual.

[96Civ]

Then I guess the question is:

How do you find happiness?

[Oz]

Some people never do.

[dirtydx]

it usually finds me.. its the kinda thing that dissappears when you grab for it, like forcing laughs at funny movie you've seen 3 times.. so I guess happiness is just being myself and waiting for the right circumstances.

[thrasher]

Lots of smiling, lots of laughing. People who laugh and smile a lot actually live longer. If you trick your brain into thinking you're happy, you will be better off.

Otherwise, happiness = being content.

[DGB454]

Good subject. I have wondered many times what makes me happy and why I am not always happy. It seems like I am the happiest when I am content and stop worrying about things and just enjoy friends and especially family. I think happiness is in our hands and we create our own happiness. I surround myself with people I love and care about. I am happiest it seems when they are happy. I am most content when they are content. So if I work at making them happy and content then it's a win win situation.



Here are a few quotes about happiness:


Albert Camus:
You will never be happy if you continue to search for what happiness consists of. You will never live if you are looking for the meaning of life.

Aristotle:
Happiness belongs to the self-sufficient

Buddha:
Happiness comes when your work and words are of benefit to yourself and others.

George Sand:
There is only one happiness in life, to love and be loved.

HH the Dalai Lama:
If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.


Don't worry...be happy.

[Automobile Maniac]

I try not to get to excited and happy about anything because somehow, I alway's get let down.

I love car's=but I can't have all the ones I want

I love girl's=but I can't have all the ones I want

I love money=but I can't have all I want

Those are material objects but still they do bring happiness, mostly I think if you are surrounded by friends and family alot then you feel better. That's been hard for me though the last 7 years because I moved out of state away from everyone I have ever known. Now there is a chance for me and the wife to move back to my home state, and that is starting to excite me. Otherwise I myself am a depressed dude. I don't take any medicines for it at all like a lot of people do, I only think that makes you feel worse in the long run. All of the dope I did in my high school years probably didn't help. In fact, that's most likely why I think alot of people are depressed later on in life, doing all of that dope while your mind is still growing in puberty stage is not a good idea.

My advice is don't do any drugs legal or otherwise, keep busy (if you sit around doing nothing, you will start thinking crazy) and try to spend time with people that are fun.

[dirtydx]

Originally Posted by Automobile Maniac

All of the dope I did in my high school years probably didn't help. In fact, that's most likely why I think alot of people are depressed later on in life, doing all of that dope while your mind is still growing in puberty stage is not a good idea.

My advice is don't do any drugs legal or otherwise, keep busy (if you sit around doing nothing, you will start thinking crazy) and try to spend time with people that are fun.

I agree about the drugs... it definetely puts a spin on the natural order of your brain, like compressing two weeks of happiness into 5 minutes. I should have taken some of that advice more seriously too.

But atleast now I have a real motivation to stay busy, and am beginning to understand the true meaning of respect...

[TEXSRT4]

first question is what is happiness? what do you mean by happiness? how is happiness brought about? is it through external means, or through self realization about what we assume brings completion and satisfaction?

[RickwithaTbird]

Theres all kinds of things that can make people happy, and its usually dependent on the person. The happiest Ive ever been was when I was a senior in high school and I was in love. In my mind I knew that she loved me and I loved her, and that was really all that mattered. So to me, I guess love is the main thing. sex is proven to release "happy" endorphins and cause you to have better mental health. having goals and achieving them will make you happy.

The idea of not looking forward to anything so you cant get let down... thats the worst idea ever for being happy. On the inside you know you want so much more, but are too afraid to fail. That is why only gloomy people say that. You have to understand that it takes a few falls to learn how to walk. Nobody got anywhere by giving up on goals.

Also, sun light releases beta endorphins which give you a good mood.

[Automobile Maniac]

Originally Posted by RickwithaTbird

Also, sun light releases beta endorphins which give you a good mood.

Yeah, I have been thinking about that lately. I used to live in Florida till I was 18 then I moved to WI. I have grown here. Learned alot, finished high school, got a good steady job for 4 years and got married but still, this winter darkness I think has killed parts of me like my wild side (maybe for the better!) So yeah I am excited about moving back there to get injected with the sun year round once again.

Also to the poster, I noticed your birth date, maybe your just going through the good ol' teenage growing pains or something.

[digolbick]

"Content are those who are happy with what they have. Happy are those who are content with what they don't have."

[96Civ]

Good responses. Growing pains? Maybe a little bit, but some of it is from having the world not let me grow up fast enough or in the manner I want. Too many people telling you what to do and how you should do it. Telling you what you are and who you should become, when the expectation is really of themselves and has nothing to do with you in the first place.

A lot of uneeded pain, anger, depression that I'm still trying to get over and if there comes a time when it happens again, I will undoubtedly preach my mind.

[TexasF355F1]

Originally Posted by 96Civ

Good responses. Growing pains? Maybe a little bit, but some of it is from having the world not let me grow up fast enough or in the manner I want. Too many people telling you what to do and how you should do it. Telling you what you are and who you should become, when the expectation is really of themselves and has nothing to do with you in the first place.

A lot of uneeded pain, anger, depression that I'm still trying to get over and if there comes a time when it happens again, I will undoubtedly preach my mind.

I spent the vast majority of last year being unhappy and very depressed. I never thought I would overcome it. In my experience, I had to remove myself from what I knew was part of my unhappiness and surround myself with people I know are my true friends and will be there for me. Talk to your friends, for me I had two of my best girl friends that I talked to on an almost daily basis to release what was on my mind. I told them everything I had to say, no matter how embarrassing i felt admitting my feelings. Make sure though, if you dont want the whole world knowing, that you can trust that everything you say will be in complete confidentiality.

Keeping your feelings bottled inside just makes things worse. Also, try and be active. Part of my problem is that i didnt want to be around people. I wanted to be by myself all the time. When i realized that i needed to quit doing that and started going out, hanging and just not being by myself i felt better. Don't dwell on things either, that was another part of my problem. Most importantly, try and keep a positive attitude. Sometimes it may be hard and you'll undoubtably have those days, but everyone does. Hope everything turns out for the best. If you need to chat hit me up on AIM.