Or do we lower our expectations, and learn to be content with what we have?
2006-07-17 19:01:39 · 15 answers · asked by Felicia Fox 6 in Health ➔ Mental Health
I think a balance of both is the key.
Also, I wouldn't strive for simply *more* accomplishments, but more *quality* accomplishments that will bring deeper meaning and definition into my life. As for material things, I don't think we should always strive for more.
2006-07-25 12:33:47 · answer #1 · answered by truthyness 7 · 5⤊ 1⤋
Jim Carrey said, "I think everybody should get rich and famous and do everything they ever dreamed of so they can see that it
is not the answer."
I don't think that people should live with the misconception that if they will be happy when they reach some level of accumulation or accomplishment - when they reach the end of some path.
However, I think some people enjoy travelling a path that includes increasing accomplishment and accumulation and perhaps that is fine. But, it seems that accomplishment and accumulation is like an addiction that must be fed and that without these things, the person will become unhappy.
Americans seem to strive to be happy and it seems we are not very happy. What we probably need to do is be content or even happy in a static position.
2006-07-18 03:13:15 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
To be happy;
there is a difference between thinking and
feeling, emotions need to develop, how ones defines
the process isn't important whether one says emotional
intelligence or emotional consciousness the main point is
control, if someone wants happiness it must come from within
each individual.
Accomplishments & accumulation are, hmmm,
like extrasomatic goals which feed the desire to do or place
themselves on the pedestal of societies status window, its fine as long as there isn't any emotional struggles, happiness comes
in degrees, when it is said to lower expections it puts a negative
tone to one being happy in life. Accomplishment, accumulation and expectation are negligible when it comes to happines and contentment, if we all were content with less material & status quo ideals we would have a nice paradise, but each individual will define happiness in degrees ........ But most importantly is the emotional state of the person, one needs to be free from within
of any struggles; accomplishments, accumulations or expectations are great, but if ones psychology is off balance
all which they achieve means nothing ....
Happiness is a whole landscape of variation, not only in principal,
operation and intention but also definition...
I'm grateful for happiness each moment .....
2006-07-18 04:26:15 · answer #3 · answered by ♪σρսϟ яэχ♪ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Being content with what one has is in no way lowering ones' expectations.
Happiness can become an illusive dream if one thinks 'accumulations' can attain that for them...To constantly be chasing for the next accumulation/goal, reaching it, then having to chase more as the expectation of happiness was a mere illusion..
Contentment is the key to happiness...Without contentment, how could one ever attain happiness...
2006-07-18 02:18:16 · answer #4 · answered by a_cup_vt2003 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am happy with what I have, and it had nothing to do with lowering my expectations. I made a wish and it came true, and now it's my world and you all just live in it. But after I got what I wanted, I didn't suddenly not want it and need other things. well, some other things, but I'm not unhappy because I don't have them.
Accumulations...don't help.
Helping people is the key.
2006-07-18 03:27:59 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Happiness comes only when we push our brains and hearts to the farthest reaches of which we are capable.....The purpose of life is to matter, to count, to stand for something, to have it make some difference that we lived at all." (Leo Roston)
Your mistake is in the words accumulations or "what we have". You don't need to accumulate anything, just have enough to get by- and you don't need to be content with what you have, but with who you are. Being content with who you are, and striving to make the world a better place- that brings happiness and contentment.
2006-07-18 02:53:02 · answer #6 · answered by niteowl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The only way to be happy is to be content with what you have and who you are. I wouldn't say lower your expectations but make them realistic and achievable (but not to easy). Accomplishments and accumulations will temporarily make you happy, but in the long run you will always want more...
2006-07-18 02:16:23 · answer #7 · answered by Stranger in a Strangeland 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A strive for accompolisment and accumulation would always lead to growth and this is a desirable trait for an entrepreneur.
However, it may not bring the happiness. If we are contend with wht we have, we may live happily.
2006-07-18 02:13:07 · answer #8 · answered by Kumar 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Happiness occurs for me when I put aside all the contention and role playing that goes with accumulation and progress. Have to make time to be playful and laugh, enjoy the harvest of your efforts and just be anonymous for a while.
2006-07-18 11:10:21 · answer #9 · answered by Norman 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think being content while reaching toward a goal is lowering expectations. It's being content through the process and doesn't have to mean we've stopped seeking.
2006-07-18 02:07:56 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
We should always strive to learn and accomplish more. I think that is our destiny in life.
I like Billy Joels quote on life and contentment
Happiness is temporary but contentment is forever
2006-07-18 13:38:59 · answer #11 · answered by mick987g 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋