Do you believe happiness is a choice or a result of circumstances?

Answer 1

it's a combination of both. you have to make the choice to accept the circumstances to be happy.

Answer 2

Having been living in this life for 50 years +, I truly believe that, with the exception of chemically diagnosed clinical depression, happiness is a state of mind that can be controlled by choices we make. If you use daily affirmations that say "I am a happy person" or something similar, and surround yourself with cheerful, positive people, you will find yourself a happier person. I found that when I smile at a stranger when I pass them, most of the time they will smile back and maybe I was able to touch them positively.

It was interesting, I came back from Costa Rica recently and noticed that the people, especially the indigenous tribes and the farmers, were truly happy with their families and their lives. These are souls that, in our material world, have nothing, but they continually smile and most told me they are very happy and satisfied people. I learned alot from that visit which made me appreciate what I had and happier with myself.

Next time you feel down, go outside, sit or stand with your eyes shut and let the breeze caress you face and feel the sun on your skin and thank God you can appreciate the beautiful treasures that you are offered each day. That should put a smile on your face. (:

Answer 3

It's usually within the power of our choices. A result of circumstances can also depict how happy we are. Many people are stuck or forced into certain circumstances, which would usually lead to unhappiness, being that usually if one is forced into a circumstance, it's usually an unfavorable choice to make.

Answer 4

Happiness is indeed a state of mind. You choose to be happy and deal with all the adversities in life with a positive attitude, or you can succumb to those adversities (or circumstances as you state) and let them rule you. You then become depressed and feel at the mercy of the circumstances, blaming god, fate and your 'destiny.'

It's a liberating feeling to break the shackles of religion and belief that life is pre-ordained. Taking control of you life and accepting responsibilities for your actions is a very liberating feeling.

Answer 5

I think that that the answer to that question has a double edged sword. For one that is healthy and able thier destiny is in the hands of there committment to happiness and making the situation they are in as fulfilling as possible and strive each day to make a better life for themselves. However, if circumstances arise such as illness, catostrophic events than happiness is not viable for a certain amount of time until the mourning is over with. at one point though the individual has to be as strong as possible to make the best of any situation!

Answer 6

A choice, but better than that, it's a state of mind.

We've been happy when we hardly had two nickels to rub together. It's not a matter of financial accumulation or material things; you'll always want more.

Unless you're really under some bad stress, in a bad situation, you can find happiness right where you are.

Answer 7

Yes - in other words, it's often both. One's circumstances usually affect one's choices to a great extent.
If you're poor, sick and depressed, it's mighty hard to "choose" to be happy (though I imagine a very few might be able to do so.)
Happiness is, in any case, a fleeting emotion for most of us, and one that often recognized only in retrospect.
"Content" might be a better word to use since contentment is usually longer-lasting than happiness and, I'd say, more likely to be attained by choice.

Answer 8

I think it is both. Obviously, when good circumstances occur they make you happy. But when bad circumstances occur, they may get you down but you must make the choice not to let it keep you down. You must choose to dwell on positives in that particular situation or think of positives in other situations.

Answer 9

Happiness is an emotion and as such is non everlasting. how you may properly sense free is to do belongings you want doing and be with human beings you want. also, relax and do not obsess too a lot about happiness. some human beings continuously seem cheery because they are cup 1/2 finished human beings. also some human beings do have happier lives because of circumstances. Conversely, some human beings get undesirable breaks.

Answer 10

I think it is the result of both. You can choose to be happy but sometimes circumstances prevent you from truly being happy. You have to look on the bright side of things. Bad things sometimes happen for a reason.