Is Happiness the Goal?

I think happiness is some ephemeral thing that comes in moments. Even Freud said that the goal of psychotherapy was "ordinary human misery". Rather a powerful statement really.

I just wanted my therapy to be about recognizing and internalizing those moments because they are so fleeting.

Sometimes I think living is as act of sheer will. I just wanted to be sure that I was up for it. Therapy helped a lot with that.

Self acceptance would be good. I have no idea what happiness is so I can't really aim for something I can't define.

I wonder why the word 'happiness' exists. It seems like we don't understand what it means. It is subject to so much personal interpretation.

Advertisers, though, must understand our continuing search for this, what elliemay calls ephemeral, state. If we purchase this or that, we will be as 'happy' as the beautiful people shown in the ads. And the ads are successful - because all of us humans still are seeking something...

I think of it as combined with content - like when I am just fine with me and the way things are and stuff feels generally okay. Not wanting to buy or change or worry or fix or dread. And somedays I do feel like that.

So 'content' might be a better word to use than 'happiness'.

ever since I saw the title of this thread I've been hearing "Matchmaker, matchmaker..."
I promise you'll be happy,
but even if you're not
there's more to life than that -
don't ask me what.

Sblue I think happiness is a perfectly reasonable goal. True it isn't ever completely obtainable in this life, but as a goal, it's great.

Maybe spurts of happiness are enough. So, how many spurts are required, I wonder, to believe I am living a happy life? I feel happy at the moment but something wonderful is happening to me. So, maybe it depends on outward circumstances. Dang!!!

interesting question. happiness seems like it just happens in spurts to me too and the rest of the time is somewhere between very down and slightly down. I think if the baseline felt a little more content, that'd be good.