Are we ever truly happy - or are we constantly searching for something else?

Question

Can a person ever be truly contented with their lot... or is everyone constantly searching for something better, more exciting...? Do you ever wonder - is this it then?

Answer 1

In my opinion, happiness is moments so for sure there are times that all people are truly happy ;o) Of course always you want something more but this comes after your happy moments :o)

Answer 2

We are sadly always searching for something or someone to make us happy and end up losing sight of what is happening around us (life). When I was younger older family members or friends of the family would always suggest that I be happy at whatever age I was, not to rush life just enjoy every moment because it is all over in a flash, but silly me I never took the advice and was always rushing to get to the next (best age) I wanted so bad to be 18 because your so (grown up then) but then once I turned 18 it was really no big deal till I heard 21 was the age to be so again silly me I couldn't wait to be 21 (3) wasted years later and wow I'm 21 (OK) what’s the excitement???? Most of the things we can do at 21 the majority of us have already done we just do it "legally now" aside of age I also made the mistake of wanting a (better car) and never really enjoying the ones I had at the moment (someone else has a better car) whether it's a neighbor, friend, or someone just driving down the street (I just had to have it) better car by year or look and none were ever just enough. Then of course the want to have a bigger better house then the one I'm in now or the one I had before (4 bedrooms, 2 baths on 2 acres) just is not enough. I want more, we all do! Take our bodies for example I'm sure any women would agree (maybe men too) that we would like something on our bodies to be better, whether it is your breast being too big (or not big enough), abs not being flat enough, or being too tall or (not tall enough)..Oh and don't get me started on the "guy" thing my goodness he wasn't tall enough, kind enough, his eyes weren't dark enough or light enough, blue/green enough, didn't have enough muscles, had too many muscles grr... I told you not to get me started :D No but seriously I think it is our natural drive to want the best for ourselves and family though most of us should be content with who we are and what we have because (we are better off then most people around the world) we complain with really no bases behind it other then we want the best, and never seem to achieve it according to others standards (T.V., Advertisement, Movies are examples) of very high almost unachievable standards which are constantly changing. I wish I could say I am happy with my life and what I have or who I'm sharing it with (but then I would be a hypocrite and a liar) there are so many thing I wish I could improve. So I guess speaking for myself I am not truly happy and am constantly looking for something else, I am not content with my lot, and am constantly looking for better and more exciting... But that seriously needs to change within us all we need to be happy with ourselves and what we have at that moment because when we die it will not matter what we had (can't take it with us) or how we looked (we age or an accident of some sort can change your look in a second) hmm now I'll be regretting all my wasted time and emotions..

Answer 3

Perhaps the question of being happy really goes to this.
How can anyone be happy if they never take the time to figure out what THEY want and need in THEIR lives.
We are bombarded with advertisers telling us what we SHOULD want.
Television constantly shows us the things celebrities are doing that are supposedly cool and we should all aspire to (although I'm not sure when regular people started to believe they should look and live like a celebrity).
You get my drift.
So, is it possible to be happy and content.
The answer is yes.
But not until we know what it is that will make us happy and content and then set about making it happen in our lives.
A teacher of mine handed out a very interesting assignment (many years ago). We were supposed to make a list - our wish list - of all the things we wanted in our lives. Everything from the type of house to the person we wanted to spend our lives with.
This was supposed to be a very detailed list. Describing the house, car, clothing, etc.
Then we had to think about it for several weeks and refine it. Actually think about the repercussions of gaining the things on our list.
Most people started out with the big house, fancy car, etc. But by the time their list was finished they had moved down to a much more modest home, a loving, caring partner vs. a high-maintenance fashion model. You get the picture.
When they really thought about it they wanted a nice life without all the pressures of living the fancy lifestyle.
Everyone was shocked by their downsizing but happy with their decisions.
We need to stop believing the media and hype around overpriced sunglasses and turn on our brains and think about the type of sunglasses that are best for ourselves.

Answer 4

A person can be more contented than they currently are with their lot. It starts by appreciating the things that you have.

I do not think everyone is searching for something better. Sometimes I do say to myself, this is it! Usually, when a pinnacle of appreciation of what is there as opposed to what is not is achieved. Observe what you have, and close your eyes to what you do not.

Measure your wealth in what is important to life. You cannot buy anything when you are dead. (allegedly)

Answer 5

I think a person will feel unhappy with the way things have gone. become restless with this lack of attention for its spiritual needs and start to wake up to the fact that he is still not fulfilled or satisfied, Because the material world is an illusion of flickering commodities that are "Here today, gone tomorrow," our numerous attachments tend to be the cause of our anxiety. For example, in thinking that our mortal body is our real self, we become attached to what gives any little pleasure or happiness. Thus, we become attached to our spouses, children, wealth, house, property, or our career. And by trying to hold on to them and keep life balanced so that we can protect all that we have and see that everything flows smoothly, these very attachments put us in a position which creates most of our worry and concern. Outside of this illusion, within the real understanding of who and what we are, there is no fear, no suffering, no anxiety, and no wrong choices. a wise person on the spiritual path, or one who knows his real spiritual identity, does not rely on the sources of happiness that come through contact with the material senses because they all have a beginning and an end. When you depend too much on such forms of happiness, such kinds of pleasure can also become sources of misery or disappointment when they are gone. This is another example of how all suffering exists only within the illusion. It’s our thoughts create our experiences Happiness is not having what you want. But wanting what you have!!………………Be Happy Good luck and have a nice day!!!

Answer 6

I went through a phase of always searching.. I am actually really happy with my work and my home life at the moment.
I would like more money to get a bigger house but doesnt everyone.. I think if we were all content the world woud be quite boring!

Answer 7

This is what it is, a constant search. This is what life is, an endless pursuit. Happiness is not the prime objective of life, as it is commonly understood; happiness does not necessarily mean sensual gratification or sensations of accomplishment. These things do not last long, and soon we realise that we are even more unhappy then we were before we enjoyed a spell of sensual raptures, spent and emptied out; the taste of the once forbidden fruit does not go beyond moments, we forget fast. We then have to taste it again, and again, this is the hell for many and torture for few. There is no contentment in the pursuit, or experience, of happiness if happiness is taken out of its abode, stripped to its meaningfulness, stolen from its abode the gardens of paradise.

I need more than what I know I need, or feel I am in need of; to be happy is not a mere fulfilment of earthly desires disguised in heavenly clothes, to be happy is to desire heaven itself.

Answer 8

We can be truly happy, the problem is that we don't allow ourselves to.

When you look back on yourself, don't you think that you could have done better?

Look in the mirror.
Are you truly satisfied of what is looking back at you?

In this world there is change.
Change because no two people ever agree on anything...
and their needs are satisfied with change.

Sometimes you dont have to search.
You KNOW what you want.
But you don't have the resources to get it.

-SARUKO-

Answer 9

The world is a big place with some serious problems no one in their right mind could ever be truly happy theres is simply too much wrong with humanity.

Answer 10

How can we be truly happy? It’s not about changing reality, for reality is what it is. It is about changing your position towards it, the way you observe and interpret what life or God gives you every day. This change of position is your choice; nobody can make it for you. So only you can decide how truly happy you are, or become :-)