Saturday, August 14, 2010

" The Key to Happiness "

We have all heard the phrase. I am sure at one time or another we have all thought about happiness, ours or someone elses. Is there really a key to happiness or is this phrase an enigma that mankind will forever be chasing around. I personally think that it is the latter.

I have given a lot of thought about happiness lately. What is it exactly? Is it a physical feeling? It can be. Is it a thought in our minds? It can be. Is one person more predisposed to being happy than another? I suspect so.

Can being able to purchase whatever you need at anytime make you happy? Can you be happy while you may be struggling to pay your utilities or buy food? Sure you can.

Does money make you happy? It can, but I am sure that one could be miserable with a lot of money. Do some people get happier as they get older? I suppose just as many that get more miserable as they get older.

Does spirituality make one happy? It can. However I don't think that people who aren't spiritual, can't be happy as well. Is a marathon runner any happier than one who cannot walk? Probably at certain times. Yet the one who cannot walk can also be so much happier than the runner.

Does the one you love always make you happy? Really? All of the time? We can be grateful to have friends and loved ones in our lives. But they don't always make us happy.

I wonder if the most beautiful person in the world is more happy than I am. Maybe, at this moment I am not feeling overly happy. But I'll bet that I am much happier than a lot of beautiful people.

Can happiness go away and never ever come back. I am sure that it can. I hope I never find out. 

Does food make you happy? Food makes millions happy. Yet it can also make you sick. Are there some people that are happy all of the time? I doubt it. But I'm no expert, hence this post.

Is happiness just a dream? Do we think that we are happy when perhaps we really don't know what happy is? 

I do know for a fact that most people are forever trying to find happiness. We will do almost anything for that feeling. Whatever it means to any given individual. 

We buy things, we eat things, we read things, make things, grow things, nurture things. We are forever in search of that feeling of happiness. whatever it may be for us.

Do murderers, thieves, sexual offenders feel happiness? Does that question offend you? Don't you think that "The Bad Guys" feel happiness? If someone is offensive to you, do you feel that they have no right to be happy? It does make some happy to judge.

There are pills that can make us happy. I don't think that scientists have invented one that can make us all happy all of the time. Take a minute please and envision a world where we all were happy all of the time.....


That could be very funny. Perhaps even very silly! We'd all be smiling, laughing, joking, singing, skipping, dancing and playing while we are awake. And have nothing but fairytale dreams when asleep.


I don't have any of the answers about happiness. I am sure that there are experts that will tell us in which section of our brain happiness is located. There has to be a spot. Or is there? Again does anyone really know?


As a christian, I believe that true happiness comes after we are gone. Yes I believe that true happiness awaits me in heaven. But if you don't believe as I do, That's fine with me. It's fine because I believe that happiness is found on an individual basis. Do you know what it feels like when I am happy? Do I know what it feels like when your happy?


So here we are back at square one. Is there a true key to happiness? I write this post trying to come to a conclusion of sorts. I think that I have gained a tad bit more insight just through asking certain questions.


In my own opinion which really means nothing to many, I don't think that there is a true key to mortal happiness. After that, well if I could let you know, maybe I would. But maybe we aren't really meant to know.


Maybe somethings are just better left a mystery.



13 comments:

Gail said...

HI DI-

Wow, thought provoking questions and ideas about happiness. Today, as you know, it is not one of my happiest days. Amd still, I am happy. I think if there is a key to happiness it is in 'balance'....even though I was broken hearted today after seeing mu Mom on dialysis I also was reminded of blessing and goodness and thinks I am so thankful for - happy? More content and grateful.
This is a multi-layered topic. phew

Love to you
Gail
peace and hope.....

Bernie said...

I think there are many answers to your questions because different things make different people happy. There is not one answer nor ever will be. I only know that the opposite of happy is sad and very seldom am I sad so yes I am happy pretty much all the time. Gosh sounds a bit redundant doesn't it, but I think you know what I mean.
Be happy my friend....:-)Hugs

Lynilu said...

Gosh, that's a complex question.

"True" happiness .... I assume you mean complete, total, perfect. I'm not sure that is attainable here because this is an imperfect world. But I also think happiness is relative, just like so many other components in our lives. In that respect, I think our happiness is in our own hands, in what we are allowing in our lives, and how we are living those lives.

I'm pretty dang happy most of the time. Not always and not perfectly, but I've chosen to live most days with a happy expectation, and most days, that is what happens. There is not a single thing that makes me happy, but a myriad of things, events, experiences that bring it to me. I try to maximize those and thank God every time I think of it. But that which is to come .... Yep it will be the best!

Cindy said...

Diana, lots to ponder here, I think we are all on that quest for happiness. I like that you will find true happiness when we are gone. I hope that is true. Happiness for everyone is different too. makes me believe in goodness and happiness. some things we will never know the answers, glad your in my life. hugs.

Rebecca said...

You went "DEEP" here, my friend! Two words I try to avoid because of their ambiguity are "love" and "happy". Both are quite undefinable, subjective, and overused. Both probably are better left a "mystery" (as you said).

When our Sunday School class studied Ecclesiastes for a few weeks not too long ago, we "saw" Solomon struggle with happiness. If he, the wisest human who ever lived struggled with the mystery of it, I expect we will too until after we're gone...

Still, I wish for you "love and happiness"...

Amity said...

Hi Diana;

This is an awesome post, with multifarious questions one is left groping for the right answers to each of the questions.

But talking about happiness, I find that happiness to me, is living life simply, sans problems. I have heard people say that "it's lonely at the top," and "money can't buy happiness", so definitely, having lots of money or being famed and popular are no guarantee of happiness. One may have happiness but for just a fleeting moment.

I would say, happiness is how you take things in your life!

Wanda..... said...

Happiness isn't something one looks for or tries to get...it's illusive, unattainable that way.
One needs to be in the moment, appreciating the moment one's in...that brings contentment and a joy for life. I believe happy is a momentary thing...a feeling expressed in the moment. Like a sad moment, a melancholy moment, a angry moment, a scared moment, a happy moment. If moments are accepted and expeienced as only a moment in our lives...we end up content and 'in' the moment we are in. Does that make sense?

No one is happy all the time, but we can be content with our moments and feelings! Well, that's what I believe!

♥..Wanda

Anvilcloud said...

I think there's momentary happiness when something good happens, but true happiness is more like contentment with life and your lot in it. It's about not always wanting more, being happy with where you are and what you have rather than searching for the next little but temporary boost. I think it may have to do with spirituality if that is broadly define but very little to do with religion.

Tranquility Speaks said...

Hi Diana :-) If you ever get the answers, please do let me know! You said it all...leaving me with precious little to add! I'm not very happy these days..and more money isn't helping! But maybe doing what satisfies you and nurtures your soul should make you happy..

Teresa said...

Happy! Smappy!

Happiness is as fleeting as the wind, and you can not catch it in a jar.

It can not be bought or sold, nor saved, nor can we conjure it up when we want it.

Oh yes, we can put on a smile, that looks like happiness, we can laugh just a little too loud, that sounds like happiness, we can eat lots of chocolate, that tastes like happiness, and we can get flowers from our lovers that smell and feel like happiness...and sometimes everything is just pure and plain joy!

That makes life worth living...after all we would not know happiness, if we did not know sadness...IT"S ALL GOOD!

Loved your post Di, and I love you too...you bring happiness wherever you go. ((((HUGS)))) T

Arlee Bird said...

When I think of "happiness" I think of an ongoing state of being--the way that a person is in the long term. It has to do with adjusting to one's physical state, standing in society, financial condition, and so on, and being able to accept what one has and is.
My own states of happiness includes times of elation, depression, dissatisfaction, appreciation, and all other emotions. Overall though I can say I've had a happy life and I am in essence happy.

Lee
Tossing It Out

Barb said...

I don't have any answers, DI. But, I can tell you that on the day you posted your questions, I was very, very happy!

Unknown said...

Hello sweet Di....umm deep as a well? my version....it's what you make of it....plain and simple. Happiness is what you make of it....and what you choose it to be.