What is the secret to true happiness?

[JokingClown]

Well, I don’t have the definitive answer to this question, but I have a belief about it that im sure others here share.. It isnt meant for everyone, but i think the vast majority of people it will work for. If you want to find true happiness, you have come to peace with what you have. Most people are always fighting to make their life perfect. They work hard for a pay raise, or to get into a better college, or move to a bigger house; buy a better videogame that will finally satisfy them.

Except there is a basic flaw in this goal, humans adjust to their surroundings. They get used to them. They become normal. If you are held in a prison for 30 years and tortured daily, after awhile you will get used to it. Now, at such an extreme as that, it aint ever going to just be day to day life, but you will get more used to it than you think would be possible. Same goes for bill gates.

There are billions of people who are currently starving or on the verge of starvation, working their asses off so they don’t starve. If they aren’t starving they are probably pretty fucking happy. Now, you could say that they are just happy because they are ignorant to what they could have. Well, true, maybe. But then again, so are you and i, and even bill gates. Bill Gates isn’t immune to disease, or stress or his ass itching. he cant fly into space without a space ship and suit. one day it will be possible, with implants if we are around for much longer.

So, yes, bill gates' problems sound mighty minuscule in comparison to yours. But he gets used to them, just like you don’t worry about starving to death or getting shot everyday, (most likely, maybe if you’re in Iraq or Afghanistan, etc).

So the point is, no matter what you have, you will soon get used to it and it will seem normal, and soon you’ll "need" more. Video game Graphics is a good example. If you could play games that were made ten years from now, you would be blown away, but people from twenty years in the future would be bored to death.

I would encourage everyone to live homeless, or in the wilderness without any modern convince for at least 6 months straight. Of course that wont happen, but if it did, I think a lot of people would stop worrying about fashion, what kind of car they drive, their job, etc.

[Dizon]

True happiness is reaching your goals and ambitions. Some people have lots of money but they don't really have a dream, some just work to earn money even when they don't like their job. Others have no idea what they want to do in life. Chase your dreams and work it out to earn a living.

[NoUseFrAName]

true happiness comes with non-resistance. Any time you were ever unhappy there's been some sort of resistance. Resistance to letting go of positionalities.
Many times we let go of one positionality only to grab more tightly onto another. Let that one go as well...and continue to do so as your positionalities reveal themselves.
Without positionalities there is no conflict...perfection becomes apparent and with that comes true happiness.

-Rob

[Aberrant]

True happiness is not having goals or ambitions.

[0kelvin]

Find something you believe in/care about/have a passion for/love and do that.

Surround yourself with people you believe in/care about/have a passion for/love.

Figure out why you feel this way so you can always remind yourself when times are tough.



0kelvin

[nil]

maybe it comes from posting a bunch of patronizing, pseudo-philosophical ramblings on an art forum...

...you dont have to worry about...getting shot everyday, (most likely, maybe if you’re in Iraq or Afghanistan, etc).

good lord, do you think before you post, or do you just let it spill forth unfiltered?

anyway, we all know that happiness is warm puppy...

[darth massacre]

If I know I'd share it with you.



For the record I'm not unhappy.

[Slash]

Sex, beer and rock & roll.


(or sex, drugs and rock & roll for those who prefer that.)


oh.. and art.

[dogfood]

Happiness is a chemical state. I am generally very happy, but I have goals that I'm nowhere near close to finishing, I have ambitions (world-domination is a hobby), challenges, and ran out of beer days ago.

Are you happy because you have a lot of fulfillment (friends, passionate endeavors, etc.) or are you fulfilled because you are happy? There's a mounting theory that those who are on the cusp can make the decision to be happy or not, but those whose chemical make-up is strongly on one side or the other are unable to change without significant mental training or medication (although aging can have an effect on one's chemical balance).

Happiness is the state of being happy.

[Ian Mack]

There is no secret and there's no way to describe it. It's like riding a bike, as soon as you know...you wonder why didn't know before.

[Rkhon]

Following your instincts, healthy diet and exercise, regular social interaction, moderation with everything, and a simple mind is a happy mind.

Overthinking tends to worsen situations. At least for me all instincts (not all are immediate) seems to work better than the undecisive measuring of pros and cons in any situation.

[dogfood]

...a simple mind is a happy mind

That's why I'm happy!

Overthinking tends to worsen situations.

The key is to know when to stop thinking. Of course, that's pretty tough. For example: don't think about purple kangaroos masturbating!

Tough, huh?

I agree, though. While complexity may bring intellectual or nervous satisfaction, happiness is more common in simplicity.

[Rebecca]

I heard there was a formula for happiness! " H=P+(5E)+(3H) " I don't get it either

I'm a bit unhappy, because I always tend to look at the negative side of things rather than the bright side

[OLSEN]

To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of the women!

That is true happiness.. atleast if you ask Conan the Cimerian.

[Spacemanchuck]

Thats funny I thought the key to being happy was masterbating with purple kangaroos! Its hard to do though, cause you gotta catch'em, then dye them purple, then proceed to wank your pud without getting your bits and pieces kicked off. Happyness, baa-humbug!!!

[darkarts]

Rebecca:

Hapiness= Perfection + (5 x Enjoyment) + (3 x Hope(=faith)) ?

Man, that's old algebra

[MarkHarchar]

Happiness comes from faith that God will keep your life at peace no matter where you are or what you are doing or who you are doing it with.

Purple kangaroos???

[flatliner]

Purple kangaroos???

I think their are odder parts of that sentence besides purple Kangaroo's

[corky13]

answer = sex

And thats not a joke...
Its proofen that a outlived sexuality is good against stress , agression , and other things

[darth massacre]

Well once I told this girl that I was "COMPLETE".

She never heard anyone say they were complete before.

Things didn't work out between us, I banged my head a bit...went to Australia for a week, went back to Singapore and then I realise....hey, I'm as complete as before! WOW! Guess there wasn't a missing part of the puzzle she could've filled anyway!

So like I said, I have no clue how to attain true happiness. I'm just...there.




Of course it starts with having a supportive family. My family is the best....to me....so if you have solid ground to work from, I guess its easier.

[Molly]

...the secret to true happiness? there isnt a secret... you already have it, you gotta look inside yourself to find it...

Mollyx

[NoUseFrAName]

you can't find it by seeking, but only seekers find it.

I love that quote.

-Rob

[endregan]

Well once I told this girl that I was "COMPLETE".

She never heard anyone say they were complete before.

Things didn't work out between us, I banged my head a bit...went to Australia for a week, went back to Singapore and then I realise....hey, I'm as complete as before! WOW! Guess there wasn't a missing part of the puzzle she could've filled anyway!

So like I said, I have no clue how to attain true happiness. I'm just...there.




Of course it starts with having a supportive family. My family is the best....to me....so if you have solid ground to work from, I guess its easier.

Jerry I agree as I know that I am the one that completes you.

Happiness? Well way I figure it, its by experience because trying things that you havent before opens new doors and you dont miss out on something you never knew before! Just dont try EVERYTHING if you know what I mean lol. Get er done!

[Knight of the Cross]

Happiness? Happiness is irrelevant. It's merely temporary. Finding purpose and discovering your identity will bring you joy... but joy and happiness are worlds apart.

It's not really about finding true happiness so much as finding who you are. But, people often go wrong here. You do not find who you are through what you do, what others think about you, your job, your passions, etc... Those things define your lifestyle. You find your identity in the one who made you, God, the Creator. It's the acceptance of who you are not contentment or ambition that brings you joy.

This is what I believe. You might be surprised if you at least considered the identity of who you are in Christ.

[silverslash]

-jose

[JokingClown]

as many definitions as there are people? very true, just look through this thread

[steve kim]

the secret to true happiness is avoiding threads like these

[-sideshowbob-]

true happiness is right here right now u just have to take*accept it and stop searching for it ... its there all the time ..within us - no matter what happens...

[Forge]

Aurelia is my secret... my wife gives me all i need, and i'm not talkin' only about sex.

[Marie]

Happiness is a state of mind, and you can go anywhere you want in your mind.

oh, that and chocolate