Why do we need possessions to be happy?

Question

A lover counts as a possession even though they possess you as well.

Maybe possession is too strong a word to call a lover, but you still need to meet their expectations. You can't cheat on your husband/wife, not because you don't want to, but because you don't want her to. These obligations are what I mean by possession; they limit your freedom.

Answer 1

doing the right thing...makes one happy...and yes you could say there are limitations put on us...if we choose to do right...self discipline is a great gift...it brings happiness....i personally would not cheat on a partner because it would harm my spirit...

Answer 2

Possessions are supposed to outlast things, even you depending on its worth. If you're alone in life, it feels good to come home to something you own and hold dear. And I dont believe a person is a possession because you can't own anyone... legally. And as far as giving a heart to one another... that means you're willing to be with that person for the time you choose to be together. When you decided you love someone, you dont jump and think about cheating on them just because. You cheat for a reason. Maybe the last person you loved cheated on you, or you're not getting the attentoin you need from your spouse but you can get it from someone else. A lot of problems can be solved through talking.

Answer 3

It seems everyone is telling you your question is wrong.

Why do we need possesions to be happy.

If you didn't own anything but had access to the material would you be any less happy? This normally comes down to timing. Can you get/use it within 1 minute 1 hour 1 day? Where is your threshold. Can someone take it away at anytime? What condition is it in (meets your standards)?

A Significant Other is connected to you. To say they are free to go anytime is not always the case. There is a price to pay but that isn't to say they couldn't. Possession would indicate slavery (to me)but we talk about our wifes and kids as well as our pets as being ours. To a degree I see your point.

As for the structure of the relationship that is up to you two. You define your relationship. Take mainstream or blaze your own trail.

Answer 4

People arent possessions because they can chose not to be a possession. However the only people who need possessions to be happy are superficial people. They always "want" something. They tend to make remarks such as if I had this or if I had that then I would be happy. These are counterfactuals. The reality is that you will always need something with limited results. Most times happiness comes from ourselves. When we are upset, a new car wont listen to us, and in time, it will turn into an old car that well trade in in an attempt to make us happy. Its a viscious cycle/.

Answer 5

We need things because we are material beings in a material world, meaning we are of matter. This is an issue of need. Possessions are not what make all people happy though. Happiness is a state of mind affected by many influences in life. A person can choose to be more positive about things in general which can lead to being a happier person.

Answer 6

I would not consider a lover or any person to be a possession....just as I have a dog but I dont actually "own" the dog.. we simply live together. I dont own the ground my house is on and around either; even if some piece of paper says so I truly dont. And concerning things we really need like water and food. It might be easier to see why oceans, animals, mountains, and the sky belong to no one.. So the answer is no you dont need them to live and be happy.....

Answer 7

I t is a matter of thinking.We think that if possess certain things we will be happy..After acquiring that we find that the power of that thing to bring happiness has comedown or gone or it may bring unexpected unhappiness and then we think that we will be happy if we possess something else We go on in this search for happiness which is a mirage till death.We do not realize that happiness does not depend on possessions or other external things but on our mental attitude.

Answer 8

I think we all need whatever possessions enable us to do the things most important to us. I'd have a hard time going without books, music, a bike, and a computer. However, it's not about having the items, but what I can do with them.

I think of lovers in the same terms; how well do they enable you to be you?

Answer 9

if you do acquire such things in your attempt to be happy, in many cases you spend much of your life taking care of problems to maintain what you have. If something or someone breaks down or needs attention, you have to stop & take care of it. Many people are often so busy with their numerous affairs & problems that they have no time to really ask whether they are truly happy. They are simply to preoccupied with everything. Happiness in this sort of environment also seems to be based on d anticipation or hope that something new is going to come along & change everything. You'll want to get a better position or job, a better paying occupation, a more exciting partner, a bigger house or apartment, & so on. We think that when that happens, everything will be different--better. Then when that doesn't happen, happiness is missing, & disappointment follows...

Answer 10

It depends on how strict your definition of possessions is. If you are able to be happy all by your self without anything, you still posses many characteristics that allow you to be happy without all those things. You still posses your basic 5 senses, plus whatever mental attributes you posses. But in answering the question you are really asking, yes you can be happy without possessions.

Answer 11

We don't! Possessions do not make people happy! Believing that to be true puts you into a mental trap that will actually prevent true happiness. Happiness comes from within.