You should be happy. You have everything you ever wanted. Life is complete. But you feel that gnawing hole in your existence. Something is missing. Something so intangible that you dont even know what it is, forget about getting it. Maybe thats how life is supposed to be. Maybe it is just not possible to be completely happy and satisfied. Maybe but I just cant accept that. There cannot be any other reason for our existence but to be happy. All we do, every action of ours is in pursuance of happiness.
So why are we never truly and completely happy? Why is there something missing in life, no matter what we achieve or possess?
2007-01-11 02:50:25 · 10 answers · asked by danny's mom 3 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
i wasnt really luking for religious answers, wud have put d question is R/S otherwise, neways thanks.
2007-01-11 02:59:56 · update #1
Personally I believe that the happiness comes in the working for the desired goal, NOT in achieving it. Couples that are always WORKING at making their marriage successful are happy because they are not content to sit back and say, "Well, I'm NOW happy. Nothing else to do." Getting our home or yard decorated or landscaped is fun WHILE WE ARE DOING IT. Not in standing on the sidewalk with our hands on our hips looking at it. We often THINK that when we are done we will then be happy, not so. Anticipating Christmas as a child is often more fun than the event itself. Anticipating a long vacation, planning, arranging details, making reservations is often more engrossing and rewarding than actually doing the anticipated activities.
I consider myself a happy person because after I graduated from college in 1986 I did not think my education had stopped. I went back to school and earned a Master's Degree in 1990. Then I returned and earned 40 additional semester hour-credits through 1998. Now I am going back a refining all of my class notes and class lectures adding new information I've learned over the years. It never ends, and I love my career as a history teacher. The happiness is in the doing, not in the sitting.
2007-01-11 03:06:58 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maslow proposed a hierarchy of levels of happiness. The basis level is food/clothing/shelter and it goes up from there. Maslow noted that once you achieve a level you are only happy for a little while and they you started yearning for the next level up.
The last level is called "self actualization" which means reaching your full potential. For American politicians that would be winning the presidency. For scientists it would be winning the Nobel Prize. For me personally it would be designing a game that became popular on a scale with Uno or Trivial Pursuit. Everyone's goal is different and personal.
It's not so bad when you think about it - your search for happiness is the drive to reach your full potential. That's a good way to spend a life.
2007-01-11 11:02:20 · answer #2 · answered by Queen of Cards 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hello Friend!!
While I agree that knowing Jesus is the path to happiness, here's why I think that. First we have to define what happiness is. The problem? Everyone's definition is different. For me, it is knowing that I get to walk in the door in the evening, see my wife and 2 daughters. That is what drives me every day. A relationship with God is the path to happiness for others because it gives them an intangible item to hold on to for support. Intangibles tend to support intangibles. My relationship with Jesus is of Service. The support is a bonus. However, even though it is actually NOT a proverb in the BIBLE, I still firmly believe that God helps those who ATTEMPT to help themselves. It maybe the smallest most minute thing but as long as you can look Jesus in the face (if he were here) and say "I did try"...that happiness can slowly become yours. Now, here's the kicker, I haven't answered or looked at questions in probably two months. I just happened to look at this one. Email me if you want to talk more...if you want someone to lean on. I will always listen, I will start to become your friend.
2007-01-11 11:08:11 · answer #3 · answered by seca1993 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that happiness is not ever lasting, it will end and only memories will exist from then on, but if you want happiness to last then you have to work for it.
And happiness is never complete happiness because you hide your sadness in the shadows, the fear that your past might catch up to you, or that this happiness will end one day, or of something else.
2007-01-11 12:35:22 · answer #4 · answered by Faust 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
THIS IS NOT ORIGINAL BUT IT MIGHT HELP.. Happiness is not something you search for and so seldom find. It's just waking up and beginning the day by counting your blessings and kneeling to pray. It's giving up THOUGHTS that breed discontent and accepting what comes as a gift heaven sent. For it's by knowing what God has for you to do that you find real happiness and contentment too.
2007-01-11 11:05:07 · answer #5 · answered by BKN 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No offense...TO ANY.
Forever is probably more subjective than Happy.
We should ENJOY, even segments of moments as lifetimes, and not consider "length" as a span of time.
Even in a single breath we might have conflict over happy versus 'How long?"
Steven Wolf
2007-01-11 11:00:25 · answer #6 · answered by DIY Doc 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Happiness is the contentment during the now that is repeated over and over with the occasional interruption in order to intensive the happiness.
2007-01-11 11:06:25 · answer #7 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because our brains are flawed and looking for meaning. There is none. Find your own meaning if that 's what you really need.
2007-01-11 11:24:55 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nothing is forever, babe - which is why we should enjoy happiness while we have it, and endure pain until passes.
.
2007-01-11 11:00:59 · answer #9 · answered by Plum 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you know Jesus, you'll be happy no matter what you have. :)
2007-01-11 10:55:16 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋