Atheists and theists. How can someone who has nothing be so happy?

Question

How can someone who has everything be so unhappy? What do you think is their secret?

By the way I am adressing this to both atheists and theists.

Addition:
That everything can include freinds and family. some people have friends and yet aren't happy. Some people have no friends and yet are happy

Addition:
"The most happy and content adults, however, are severely retarded individuals in a ward somewhere who get constant 24 hour care."
Disgustin Justin:

That is not true. I have worked with severly mentally retarded people, and they do know what being sad is. They are not in a perpetual state of bliss. They may not know how to handle or express their emotions, but they do know what sadness is. They do know when something doesn't feel right to them.

This is why when a retarded person is abused they start to act out or withdraw inwards.

Answer 1

because happiness is a choice. it isn't something that can be owned or purchased.

Answer 2

Some people are just naturally happy, others not. There is a theory that everybody has their own level of happiness, for example some will remain cheerful despite terrible setbacks causing a temporary depression of weeks or months, while others who are miserable old sods remain miserable old sods despite having great fortune.

I only partly agree with this theory however - satisfaction and contentment are the keys to happiness, and those who are constantly fighting for improvement - even for unselfish reasons - rarely get either. The most happy and content adults, however, are severely retarded individuals in a ward somewhere who get constant 24 hour care. It may be good to be happy, but often the best of us are sad.

Answer 3

The more you have .. the more you think you need.

I discovered Buddhism a few years ago .. and realized how materialistic I am... or was. Ever since then I've separated myself from believing *my possessions define me* I have been a MUCH happier person. Youe clothes is not who you are .. the money you have doesn't define you .. the size of your house or make of you car doesn't define your success..

and its true .. we americans have become very materialistic .. instead of concentrating on what really matters .. one being our families ..

If you have a roof over your head .. warm clothes .. some family and/or some friends .. clean water to drink .. then you are more fortunate then most in the world. Its the simple things that we quickly forget .. and our materialism blocks our view from seeing this

Answer 4

Happiness is a subjective emotion. Some only require the bare necessities of life to feel happy. Others aren't happy unless they have everything, plus all your stuff too. Happiness is a choice. God has nothing to do with it. We make up our own minds to be happy or unhappy with our lives and our ability to change it, although, some people need help to change their life and thus their happiness.

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Answer 5

Each person has their own idea of what happiness is, but often find that their idea of happiness was wrong... say, when they've they've attained "things" or when they lose someone they love. What makes you truly happy and what makes me truly happy are certainly different and that's okay, because we only have our own lives to live. Also, what makes us happy changes as our lives change. It isn't constant and it isn't the same for anyone.

The secret is seeking/finding what makes you most happy or most full of joy and letting others do the same - but in their own way.

Answer 6

It's all about free will. Atheists or Theists both have the will to make their own choices in life and to accept the consequences of those choices good or evil. We all possess the knowledge of good and evil. What and how we tend to use it determines our life. Some people prefer to be alone because only they can dictate their life. Those that has everything become the dictates of others.

Answer 7

One realizes that their happiness depends on how they wish to view their life and their world and know what truly makes them happy. The other has everything, but is clueless about what would make them truly happy, and the material things are only like a sugar rush...the happy feeling only lasts a short time.

Answer 8

I think it is because happiness and unhappiness have nothing to do with what you have. I think happiness comes from what or whom you are trusting in, and what you are hoping for.

I can be in a miserable situation, feeling quite sad/upset, but when I remember that I can trust God with everything and my hope is in Him, I am at peace and happy.

Take care,

Gayle

Answer 9

Just go to a poor country, I've seen people who sleep on the floor of a shack and they're much happier than most I know at home.
I've noticed that the more people accumulate, the more they worry about losing their possesions.

Answer 10

If you If have nothing you don't need to worry about losing anything...

Happiness is negation of distress...We are happy when we are not suffering.

That is the meaning of Happiness...It's about duality...One or the other...

So having Money can give relief from Stress...but it doesn't provide Happiness..

It's an Illusion...We only think we are happy...but then you Die..

But you can have a sense of well being and Happiness...in his life...Temporarily..

Answer 11

My favorite verse is that one that ( I think it is Paul or Peter) says "I Have learned to be content in any circumstances..."
I think the only REAL way anyone, whether rich or poor can ever be truly satisfied is by seeking that satisfaction from the only one who can fill you. Material objects grow old and loose their luster, but the person who seeks their identity in GOD will be filled ans satisfied forever.