[JanusunaJ]

I don't know if it's because I've found myself enveloped within the shadow of cynicism or its siblings, but I've found, or at least my dominant voice speaks as such, that happiness or its pursuit of or contentment or its pursuit of seems to be fool's errands. Unrealistic, romantic idealizations. It seems that practicality and pragmatism demand that stepping forth on a journey for happiness be asinine and nonsensical.

What does being alive mean? Is it simply functioning biologically such that there is a verisimilitude of consciousness? There's breath; heart beats; and an ersatz cognizance. Does that constitute being alive? I suppose that "life" is the right granted by birth. But, those shades of happiness and idealizations are privileges of some sort. I suppose, really, happiness is a subjective quality. One should be happy being able to simply breathe...even if inhaling ash.

I wonder if it would be nice to switch off, psychically speaking, and be some kind of consciously empty organic machine; an unconscious, mindlessly functioning automaton.

[Travelinglady]

Yes, being alive is the beginning of potential happiness. What would it take for you to be happy? Right now because you seem depressed it appears to be nothing. But I'm one who is always hopeful. There is a lot of beauty in this world. I hope things will get better for you soon.

Happiness means different things to different people. There are many different theories and philosophies on what makes a person happy but I feel there is no quantifiable universal truth regarding the path to it. It's unique to each of us. When I'm depressed which I have been lately because I've been so very sick, happiness seems like an illusion or delusion. The world is very beautiful or very ugly depending upon the mood goggles I'm forced to wear. I've been both cursed and very blessed in life. It's impossible for me to know how happy other people truly are but I've always noticed that when I'm happy, it seems bigger compared to the happiness others express having. My happiness is often overwhelming in a brilliant, technicolor fashion. Other people seem glum when happy compared to my very expressive and all encompassing version. On the flip side my lows are quantifiably lower and more dangerous. They say there could be no happiness without sorrow so perhaps, at least in my case my extreme lows cause me to appreciate the highs even more. Maybe not, I don't know because as I said I have no way of knowing what others experience on the inside, I just make quesses based on outward expression.

There is something freeing about accepting our limitations. Giving up is not the answer but accepting all of who we are can sometimes lead to great things. Knowing what to accept and what to change is often the biggest challenge we face. (((Hugs)))

[JanusunaJ]

Originally Posted by Travelinglady

Yes, being alive is the beginning of potential happiness. What would it take for you to be happy? Right now because you seem depressed it appears to be nothing. But I'm one who is always hopeful. There is a lot of beauty in this world. I hope things will get better for you soon.

I don't really believe thinking about what would make me happy is very wise. I've done that and pursued it for well over the majority of my adult life. I've been down in the dirt and the slime and the ooze; in that labyrinth with all the creepy crawlies and the nasty things, only to find myself in that position that's both farthest away from exit and with each repeated egress, increasingly farther away from my starting point.

Happiness would result from an excision of awareness.

[Woolly Bugger]

Happiness is over-rated. Satisfaction, self-respect, contentment, pride, not to mention freedom and health, are all better things to strive for. Happiness is or should be a bi-product of reaching one's goals, not a goal in and of itself. Hope that doesn't sound pompous...

[99fairies]

I read a book called 'the happiness trap' and it explained how every emotion we experience is important and should be acknowledged and appreciated. We don't have to constantly strive for happiness as it is only one of the feelings we experience. Being aware and okay with what we are feeling makes us grounded and a whole, well balanced person.

[UpDownAround]

Originally Posted by Woolly Bugger

Happiness is over-rated. Satisfaction, self-respect, contentment, pride, not to mention freedom and health, are all better things to strive for. Happiness is or should be a bi-product of reaching one's goals, not a goal in and of itself. Hope that doesn't sound pompous...

I was going to post something along the same lines. Happiness may be a noun, but to me it isn't a specific thing; it's realizing how much you are enjoying what you are doing and/or what's going on. It can fleeting (mine often is), yet no less real for those moments.

[ldymia]

I personally strive to be content. Content in the life I have. It's harder then striving to be happy. Anyone can be happy, but to be content with who we are and what we are is progress and in it comes that fleeting emotion of happiness.

[~Christina]

Happiness isnt a word I use ... I strive for being Content.