Have you ever felt really, genuinely happy?

Question

I'm sure I have, but I honestly can't remember the last time. Not trying to whine here. Just trying to figure out what it is I need to feel happy. I feel like I'm contantly wanting for something that's missing, but I can't quite say specifically what it is I need.

Good point, ZC. I look back and feel the same way about times that I specifically remember not feeling happy during. Why is that?

Nicely put, jonjon.

(((Mags)))) Thanks, that's inspiring.

Answer 1

every day...

i smile too much for most people, because if i find myself becoming depressed, i just smile, and smiling makes you happy as much as being happy makes you smile...

Answer 2

Pretty much every day.

This is the thesis of CS Lewis' autobiography Surprised by Joy, an account of his journey to atheism and back to Christianity. Some people would say, and I'm sure some will tell you here that there is a hole in the soul that can only be filled by Jesus.

While I disagree that Jesus is the only image that can fill it, the underlying truth I think is right, which is that the Divine Ground of Being is sort of what energizes that joy and contentment that underlies life for people of all faiths. It's not a delusion, like people make stuff up to feel better about their lives. Those things are images for a very real experience that exists before, above, beyond, and after words and images and stories about it.

Wayne Dyer and Deepak Chopra have used a collage of spiritual truths to set out what are finally completely secular paths to this sense of wholeness. They might say that there is this Source Energy in the universe permeating and flowing all around and animating the universe and that we merely have to drop our fear and our self-loathing and our hatred and let that energy out there connect with the same energy in us and animate us anew (what Christians call being born again, by the way). Chopra would simply invite you to tap into that universal and eternal connection that is always already the case.

However, the DIY mystic approach is not for everyone and comes with its own drawbacks. For example, helping others is the primary way to feed this contentment and have it thrive and grow and churches usually do a good job of organizing people to do this sort of thing where the person on their own has to remain tirelessly vigilant for opportunities - which most happy people forget to do and then starve their joy to death.

My suggestion is pretty simple. Do something nice and unexpected for someone. Then do it again. After you give a little support, you will start to receive it back and you'll form connections and webs of support that will relax your anxiety, your fear, your self-doubt and give you a bit of self-actualization and purpose and help you re-connect. (Religion literally means re-linking, this is why.)

OR....

Maybe you should just watch Joss Whedon's Firefly and listen to some Stephen Wright schtick. Your call!

Answer 3

"I'm sure I have, but I honestly can't remember the last time. Not trying to whine here. Just trying to figure out what it is I need to feel happy. I feel like I'm contantly wanting for something that's missing, but I can't quite say specifically what it is I need."

Yes, I am happy - without want, without lack, without need.

I would suggest introspection/self inquiry...find out who/what you really are. We learn bad habits and assumptions growing up and then we misidentify with the mind and mental projections. Let it go.

~ Eric Putkonen
http://www.awaken2life.org

Answer 4

I'm genuinely happy. I have bad days of course.
I think if I'm following along correctly you are dealing with the end of a relationship? Yes?
Happiness is a choice. You decide how you react to everything that goes on in and around your life. What I realized a while back was being upset, hurt, angry, and sad all have their place but holding onto those things makes life difficult and causes your body to react in negative ways.
If you need someone to chat with shoot me an email. I went through a pretty rough divorce and have some insight.

Answer 5

No, I've never actually connected those two things, but yes, I have looked up at the stars, and yes I have felt genuinely happy to be alive, but not in the same instant. And yes, I have felt inspired to do good. -Words of a Christian

Answer 6

Yes - when I realize that I have people in my life that genuinely love me. There are a lot of times I feel depressed - because there are a lot of people (mostly family) that do not love me and treat me as such. That can get me really, really down. Then, a friend will say the right thing at the right time and pick me right back up again.
I'm sorry you're feeling down - I hope someone can put a smile on your face today to help you get through it :)

Answer 7

I feel the same way- I know the secret to life is happiness and find it anyway you can but when your in a crappy situation its hard to find that thing that can make you happy. Do you have any hobbies?? Like art or music?? If you have kids playing with them can make you happy- its sad to say but if you have alot of money thats what makes most people happy because they dont have to worry about bills and they can travel which will make anyone happy. Here- (((HUGS))) Ill give you a hug and hopefully that puts smile on your face!!

Answer 8

Yes. Happiness is in the tiniest things too - we gather a lifetime of those moments (and the big ones) and put them together for old age, the telling of your life to the young ones, perhaps, or just to recall and use to make the current moment a happy one. That would be a good thing, would it not? I've always said that one great week of good memories can make up for 6 months of crap. If you allow it. Like anything else, if you are looking too hard, it might not come.

Answer 9

Yes, I have. For me the trick on a day-to-day basis is to bring my focus down from the "I want to have that one big thing in my life that makes everything good" mentality and pay attention to the little things in life that bring me joy. A good song, my son's laughter, an engaging conversation with an interesting person, a long drive on a twisty road, that sort of thing. I find that there's a great deal of happiness to be found in things like that.

Answer 10

I have... but I think that the secret is to find your own happiness in the little things... cheesy as it sounds, I've found genuine happiness in some of the stragest places... seeing the first flowers in the spring. Watching the leaves change colors... Happiness is a moment by moment thing. find it and appreciate it while it is there...

Happiness is everywhere if you make the effort to see it... in the meantime, here's a hug from me and I hope it brings you genuine happiness if only for the moment.

(((((((LINZ)))))))

Answer 11

We are ourselves responsible for our happiness and unhappiness, which are created in our minds. The imaginary fear about the future events or some past events makes us unhappy.Besides try not to see bad of any one as you are also not perfect . So always think positive and old happy moments. In the beginning , it may be difficult , but by practice this thinking is possible and you can enjoy every moment of your life..