Today one of my friends posted on Facebook a link to this article. I found it quite interesting. Many points definitely resonate with how I feel about what makes a person happy. But when I read this, I immediately thought that the author has to be a young man with very little commitment in life. Simple research proved my point... What gave it away? The fact that he basically says that the whole world needs to evolve around you.
We all have a different perception of happiness. Certain things that seem limiting or even demeaning to some (like religion), give others purpose in life and understanding. Compassion and serving people, including those around you, can lead to joy and pleasure. Being satisfied with little can also be a sign of a happy being. Holding your newborn baby for the first time becomes the happiest moment of your life...
As an example, just one thing that struck me from this article is that, according to the author, happy people don't have a permanent place... Kind of made me feel old... I love traveling. No, I LOVE traveling. I love meeting new people and learn new things. There are so many places in the world that I would love to be able to visit one day. But I'm also a homebody. No matter where we go, I'm happy (underlined) to come back to our own cave. I get attached to places. It was so hard for me to leave behind our very first modest apartment because it held so many memories...We were happy there, and that's how I remember that place.
The quote above by Mahatma Gandhi is exactly what I feel true happiness is really all about...
So what are your thoughts? Do you love your life? What points of this article can you relate to? What truly makes you happy/happier, and how has it changed over time? Do you consider yourself happy?
I really disagree with a few of the points. I'm not a conductor of my playground. I don't control everything in my life but rather go with the flow for all I can't control.
ReplyDeleteI also rely heavily on some of my friends. My best friend is my emotional rock outside of my marriage. She is always there when I need her and I love that.
I am a very happy person because I choose to be.
I just love your last phrase! I think, everyone is different but we can choose to be happy or what makes us happy.
DeleteThat is an interesting article. When I was younger I would probably have said that happiness was found in some of those points made by that person (some I did not agree with, but I do get where he is coming from with his article.) Now that I am older and have a family I feel a lot differently. I find pleasure in simple things- hugs and butterfly kisses and special moments with my children, knowing that my husband is my best friend in the world, knowing that everything happens for a reason and that my steps are ordered by the Lord each day. Those are the kinds of things that make me happy. I will admit that I would like to travel some places in my lifetime but I am also content if I never get a chance to see those places. My heart is in my home. :)
ReplyDeleteYes, he definitely sounds like a young and single (well, no family) guy :) A little naive, in my opinion... I wonder what he'll say in 20 years...
DeleteThe author comes across as narcissistic more than anything else. Only a very selfish person could live like that. Leading a simple life makes me happy, my needs are few and I am grateful to have that kind of outlook.
ReplyDeleteAnd that's how I felt! His approach is that the whole world evolves around him, and he's the commander...
DeleteThe author of the article sounds spoiled and has entitlement issues. It bothers me when someone says to disregard those who think differently than yourself. I think that is part of the problem in society today: people don't care what others think. Most of us try to get along together in a civilized society, and that involves respecting others, not ignoring them because they may think or do things differently. Sometimes, I think we are TOO individualistic and care only about ourselves.
ReplyDeleteEverything you say in this post I agree with. I get the impression the author of that article is trying to justify his own perspective of happiness. I just don't like the format of his article as if the information he imparts is data taken in a survey of what should make most people happy. My take away after reading it is that he is just still too young to know better ;)
He definitely tries to justify it :) It's obvious that this young man lives for himself. And yes, the way this article is written was what took me by surprise. As if it's a 10-point instruction on how to be happy, yet I doubt this life will lead him to true happiness in the long run.
DeleteWell I guess he just knows it all, good for him! :) lol!! For myself, what makes me happy? A stable and permanent home, structure, my husband, my kids, the sun, and knowing there is a God who takes care of me! :)
ReplyDeleteHaha, right? :) You nailed it though how I feel about my life too!
DeleteHuh guess I will be different.....I could have written this article myself almost word for word and it actually follows basic philosophical common principles. On an interesting note of observation (not argumentative at all!) I see that game a psychiatrist does for communication.......one person says how they feel and the other is asked to repeat it. For example the author never said to disregard those who think differently , rather he makes the point a happy person is living how they choose not needing someone else's approval and a happy person will basically be true to themselves and not worry so much about making others like them or how they will fit in. This is how I am take it or leave it for I am not fake, but authentic ( how I read and took that. ) he also admits at the very start of his article that we do not control everything that happens in life and that happiness is based on subjective perception. I think perhaps he could have added a little or communicated his key concepts for better clarity but overall found it very close to principles I live by down to moving a lot because I get bored after a 2 year Mark. I am not single, spoiled or have any feelings of entitlement I can assure you.....but it always boils down for me to simply happiness is an emotion and I choose happy and this is my story so I will write it the way I want. I love having others in my life but do not rely on them. I simply think some of his points were a little misunderstood and of course some will have different ideas of what makes them happy.
ReplyDeleteDang girl the more I read the article and the comments the more I want to say lol..... I smell a possible blog post myself coming on :)
ReplyDelete