2006-08-27 02:32:27 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Mental Health
The Dalai Lama
Consider the following. We humans are social beings. We come into the world as the result of others' actions. We survive here in dependence on others. Whether we like it or not, there is hardly a moment of our lives when we do not benefit from others' activities. For this reason it is hardly surprising that most of our happiness arises in the context of our relationships with others.
Nor is it so remarkable that our greatest joy should come when we are motivated by concern for others. But that is not all. We find that not only do altruistic actions bring about happiness but they also lessen our experience of suffering. Here I am not suggesting that the individual whose actions are motivated by the wish to bring others' happiness necessarily meets with less misfortune than the one who does not. Sickness, old age, mishaps of one sort or another are the same for us all. But the sufferings which undermine our internal peace -- anxiety, doubt, disappointment -- these things are definitely less. In our concern for others, we worry less about ourselves. When we worry less about ourselves an experience of our own suffering is less intense.
What does this tell us? Firstly, because our every action has a universal dimension, a potential impact on others' happiness, ethics are necessary as a means to ensure that we do not harm others. Secondly, it tells us that genuine happiness consists in those spiritual qualities of love, compassion, patience, tolerance and forgiveness and so on. For it is these which provide both for our happiness and others' happiness
2006-08-27 02:41:15 · answer #1 · answered by sarah_lynn 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
When you think your life is really terrible think of this.
Have five of your friends sit around a table and have them lay their problems out in front of them. After looking around you will gather your own problems back.
You never really know the struggles others have.
2006-08-27 09:38:40 · answer #2 · answered by sideways 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Happiness is the absence of frustration. Contentment is being ok with the level of frustration you currently have.
2006-08-27 10:11:16 · answer #3 · answered by Pegasus90 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Remember that happiness is a way of travel - not a destination.
2006-08-27 12:22:40 · answer #4 · answered by Michelle K 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
happy to see people around me happy
2006-08-27 10:22:02 · answer #5 · answered by llbell 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances". Philippians 4:11
2006-08-27 10:09:00 · answer #6 · answered by MotherKittyKat 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Today is the first day of the rest of my life.
2006-08-27 10:34:47 · answer #7 · answered by Catt 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"just keep swimming, swimming, swimming!" Finding Nemo
2006-08-27 12:41:07 · answer #8 · answered by Sherrie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"happiness in intelligence people is the rarest thing i know" -- Hemingway
2006-08-27 10:12:28 · answer #9 · answered by Confused 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Live well, laugh often, love much
2006-08-28 02:05:41 · answer #10 · answered by sidnee_marie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋