Is Happiness Problematic?

Question

Perhaps it’s northing more than semantics, but wouldn’t you agree that it's Discontentment that motivates?

Concerning the question about happiness – I think happiness is problematic in that when happy, people tend to cling to that exact condition.

Insomuch as Change is the only universal constant, any attempt to resist changing results in discontentment.

All thoughtful answers are appreciated.

Answer 1

happiness doesnt equal contentment...
most of the time most people mistake it for the other...
We call it pursuit of hapiness...
i guess it should be called pursuit of contentment...
im happy all the time..
but entirely- not at all contented.

Answer 2

Well yes, I see what you're saying...but I think you're referring to complacency. If someone is happy in the sense that they're satisfied with the status quo & have lost all desire to strive for anything then this is a dangerous state of contentment & amounts to a comfortable rut. One must constantly strive for more and not be complacent. We must try new things, learn & grow, take risks. The important thing is to stay a little bit hungry. You can still be happy during your journey. You can be happy while you strive for greatness, not just when you achieve it. No matter how much success you achieve, there is always something else you can attempt, something new to learn or do, more adventures to be had. If you stop trying & just rest on your laurels, eventually you may become bored and unhappy. We are imperfect & can never reach perfection. There is more to know than we can ever know, more to see than can ever be seen (wait a minute is that a line from the "Circle of Life" song from "Lion King"?! Sorry I didn't mean to go all Disney on you! But it's true!)

I would say curiosity not discontentment motivates. Never lose your childlike sense of wonder. That is the key to true happiness, learning & growing. It's when people forget life is miraculous that they stop striving. When people think they know everything & don't have a desire to learn, they start to limit their world & their lives. They teach you in kindergarten that the sky is blue & grass is green & then you stop really looking at them. An artist never stops observing & being amazed by the world. Sometimes the sky is teal. Sometimes it's mauve with pink streaks & a copper glow around the setting sun. As an artist I always strive for more. It doesn't mean I'm discontent it means I'm paying attention & I never tire of the pursuit of beauty. I am never completely satisfied & it impels me to do more...

:)
Cheers!

Answer 3

It's a very conditional question. Happiness may be problematic or it may not be. If people are happy with life, then they appreciate life for its ever changing nature and will not remain stagnant in their states. If a person is happy being in pain, then discontentment is just another form of happiness. If people are happy in apathy, then anything can happen, it won't matter to them and they'll remain happy. Depending on what system of morals you use and what different sociological theories you use, happiness can have varying problems. However, I would venture to say that it is most likely that happiness is universally problematic.

Answer 4

Yes, you are correct, change is the universal constant, and therefore happiness cannot reside on an external circumstance. You must learn to change yourself, your perspective, to find happiness where ever it may lie in every discreet moment.

I highly recommend the book "Happiness: A guide to life's more important skill" by Mattheu Ricard. He is a French biochemist-turned-Buddhist monk and he is clinically the happiest person in the world. He participated in a brain scan study where monks would meditate in a fMRI and researches noted that regions associated with positive and happy emotions lit up well beyond normal for all of the monks, and statistically off the charts for Mattheu, so he's quite an authority on the subject.

His basic statement is that happiness is a skill and it must be honed and maintained. You are the one who decides what makes you happy, therefore your happiness rests on your internal understanding of the world as it relates to you, putting it squarely in your realm of control.

Good luck, and don't give up!

Answer 5

I would have to say I disagree. If someone is happy with a mate, that doesn't mean they just rest on their laurels. The happiness may motivate them to do things to maintain that happiness.

I wouldn't say attempts to resist change result in discontent, it's how attached you are to the outcome that causes discontent. I can try to make my loved ones well again, if I fail, oh well. It's not the try that causes the discontent, nor even the failure, it's the attachment.

Answer 6

Since happiness is a choice, I see no reason why it would be a problem as long as you can do that. I have to make that choice over and over especially as I age. I can concentrate on the negative side of life or choose to be happy despite my circumstances. I choose to be happy and I am. My cup is always half full and often running over.

Answer 7

Resistance to happiness is problematic. But then again, some may find happiness in resistance. So you see? We find happiness in our own way.

Answer 8

Happiness Problematic if gained by giving others misery.

Answer 9

no it `s not . being happy `s always an end for all the problems. even `f u think that u r happy all of ur start 2 `ve an end.

Answer 10

Happiness is only problematic if you analyze it too much. Sit back and enjoy.