A philosophic Aussie writes here at StPA, one who will readily admit to loving Scandinavia. I'm interested in global politics and what drives us to be who we are. Scratch the surface and you'll find a practical Environmentalist with an egalitarian bent, trying to unleash a little creativity via the written word.
Scandinavian culture, literature and traditions are close to my heart, even though I'm Australian. Travel and courteous discussions greatly broaden the mind, so I travel if I can and am always up for a vigorous, respectful discussion. I'm an avid reader, a writer and I enjoy photography and crafts, particularly traditional art forms. I hope you'll find 'Something to Ponder About,' in my WordPress Community.
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48 thoughts on “Reflections – Happiness”
I like the first sentence.
On Sunday, March 6, 2022, Something to Ponder About wrote:
> Forestwood posted: ” Doing what you like is freedom.Liking what you do is > happiness.Frank Tyger, Columist It is not how much we have, but how much we > enjoythat makes happinesscharles Sturgeon More on Happiness ” >
An interesting quote, Zazzy. Does happiness exist in the moment or only in a past memory?
Memories certainly bring a feeling of pleasure, but I think we can feel happiness in certain moments, or is that joy?
I think we don’t always recognize happiness while we experience it. We might experience fun, excitement, etc., but only see the happiness while looking backward? I agree with you, though, that we do feel happiness in certain moments.
Hmm. Perhaps you are also right. Happiness is a generalized feeling that extends further than a momentary emotion and is experienced as a retrospective consequence. Short term and long term happiness may be different. Short term is more akin to joy and excitement. Longer-term happiness has more permanence and alludes to personal work on acceptance of the difficulties/grievances/sadnesses of life?
It takes work and collective responsibilities to make a free and just society. Is it the society or public attitudes, that determines this, Donna? I’d be interested to hear your thoughts.
I like the quotes. My go-to quote about happiness isn’t profound like these, but it’s useful. “Do you want to be right or do you want to be happy?” I believe Louise Hay said that years ago.
Louise Hay said “Do you want to be right or do you want to be happy?” I am not familiar with her but it is sound advice. Especially useful for marital disputes!
Seriously though, this imperative to always be right, or want to be seen as right, is a kind of perfectionism. You want desperately for the other to see your point of view because it makes so much sense. But we forget that we are looking at things through a different lens. It is a wonder any of us can agree as much as we do!
Louise Hay was a self-help guru back in the 90s. My late upbeat aunt was a big proponent of her and her advice. [I think I have the correct source for the quote.]
I hadn’t thought of being right in terms of perfectionism, but I agree that’s part of it. I also wonder how any of us manage to communicate effectively. We are all so idiosyncratic and weird!
The eternal journey of communicating better. There is always more to learn and more to improve in terms of communication. I guess that is because we ARE all so idiosyncratic and possibly weird. We are definitely idiosyncratic but are we all weird? What is the standard for weird? Is not being weird, in fact, being average?
Weird is fast becoming an overly used word but part of me thinks that if it is overly used, this might mean more acceptance of diversity and our idiosyncratic differences: in that weird has almost become the norm!!! This is a weird discussion. Lol.
And today I read that psychiatrists now think that we shouldn’t aim to be happy, we should aim for contentment. Happiness they say is an action, a momentary thing, and the current generation thinks that it comes from getting this particular thing be it a new outfit, a new partner, or a new TV, whereas if we aim for contentment, that is a long-term thing. Makes sense to me. I don’t remember us talking so much about happiness when I was growing up. When did the big search begin?
When life has supplied the basic needs, people look to higher senses and deeper emotions, more esoteric qualities, I think, Mari! This makes them yearn for happiness, more success, comfort etc. This is the luxury of those who have enough food in their bellies and shelter over their heads, and who live in relative safety.
It is funny that psychiatrists say we should aim for contentment as I have thought this myself, ever seen I was in my early 20’s. I questioned why I was disgruntled and longing for equality and fairness. It dawned on me that life is never fair or even and I should never expect ALWAYS to be so, thus contentment is a better goal than the fleeting moments of happiness. Having said that, I have been far more happy with my life in my later years than in my earlier when life was more of a struggle, physically, emotionally and financially.
Frank Tyger’s quote is a thought-provoking one. Initially, I thought, how are the two statements different. Giving it a deep thought,
Freedom is “Doing what you like.”
And Happiness is “Liking what you do.”
What’s interesting is, Freedom and Happiness are mutually independent states.
One might be doing what they like but still not like what they do. (Freedom doesn’t always imply Happiness)
One might be liking what they do but still not be doing what they like. (Happiness doesn’t always imply Freedom)
Let’s call the intersection between Freedom and Happiness- Goldilocks Zone.
That’s the best zone.
I hope everyone in the world finds their Goldilocks zone.
The Goldilocks zone is a good way to describe it, if only it was achievable for everyone.
Some settle for something less due to circumstance or lack of opportunity?
Then we have the random values and cultural beliefs that throw spanners. Those who may have freedom but choose via cultural or family responsibilities to deny that freedom and in doing so, create happiness for others and internally a happiness that is close to satisfaction. They may not have freedom in the purest sense, but retain freedom to decide to deny themselves that free choice or free will out of duty, respect or cultural/religious compulsion.
Perhaps I am splitting hairs?
Great quotes. Happiness I think also consists in being as busy, or as un-busy as you want. I’m stuck at home with Covid just now, so that’s bad But I don’t feel ill, so that’s good. But I can’t go out or do what I’d planned this week, so I’m bored, and boredom is not a contented state to be in, especially with too much time to be around the dreadful news events. As soon as I get busier, I’ll be happy again!
I am sorry to hear that you have Covid, Margaret and I am glad that you don’t feel ill. It seems that the mood around Covid has changed from avoiding it to almost tacitly accepting it is our fate to get the virus. Although I am trying hard to avoid it.
Boredom – just like teenagers, it can be dangerous to be bored. One can easily fall into a negative space and become depressed, or angry, or anxious. I suppose you have done all those tasks at home that you never get time for?
That’s the problem with boredom. It begets boredom, and unappetising tasks remain unappetising tasks. Nonetheless, I’m pleased to have Covid. It feels as if that’s one thing put of the way, and in my case, without pain, on the whole. Lot of energy today to tackle at least some of those unappetising tasks!
It is true, LaShelle! We all do have to make our own happiness. It is mostly within our control – in terms of our reactions to events. Looking for the advantage in any situation helps.
Something to Ponder About 
I like the first sentence.
On Sunday, March 6, 2022, Something to Ponder About wrote:
> Forestwood posted: ” Doing what you like is freedom.Liking what you do is > happiness.Frank Tyger, Columist It is not how much we have, but how much we > enjoythat makes happinesscharles Sturgeon More on Happiness ” >
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“Happiness isn’t something you experience; it’s something you remember.” Oscar Levant
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An interesting quote, Zazzy. Does happiness exist in the moment or only in a past memory?
Memories certainly bring a feeling of pleasure, but I think we can feel happiness in certain moments, or is that joy?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think we don’t always recognize happiness while we experience it. We might experience fun, excitement, etc., but only see the happiness while looking backward? I agree with you, though, that we do feel happiness in certain moments.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hmm. Perhaps you are also right. Happiness is a generalized feeling that extends further than a momentary emotion and is experienced as a retrospective consequence. Short term and long term happiness may be different. Short term is more akin to joy and excitement. Longer-term happiness has more permanence and alludes to personal work on acceptance of the difficulties/grievances/sadnesses of life?
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Yes!! to both quotes. They make so much sense but somehow society is often set up in opposition to this.
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It takes work and collective responsibilities to make a free and just society. Is it the society or public attitudes, that determines this, Donna? I’d be interested to hear your thoughts.
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An uplifting post.
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You are kind, Peggy.
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Great quotes!
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I am glad you think so! Great minds….
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I like the quotes. My go-to quote about happiness isn’t profound like these, but it’s useful. “Do you want to be right or do you want to be happy?” I believe Louise Hay said that years ago.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Louise Hay said “Do you want to be right or do you want to be happy?” I am not familiar with her but it is sound advice. Especially useful for marital disputes!
Seriously though, this imperative to always be right, or want to be seen as right, is a kind of perfectionism. You want desperately for the other to see your point of view because it makes so much sense. But we forget that we are looking at things through a different lens. It is a wonder any of us can agree as much as we do!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Louise Hay was a self-help guru back in the 90s. My late upbeat aunt was a big proponent of her and her advice. [I think I have the correct source for the quote.]
I hadn’t thought of being right in terms of perfectionism, but I agree that’s part of it. I also wonder how any of us manage to communicate effectively. We are all so idiosyncratic and weird!
LikeLike
The eternal journey of communicating better. There is always more to learn and more to improve in terms of communication. I guess that is because we ARE all so idiosyncratic and possibly weird. We are definitely idiosyncratic but are we all weird? What is the standard for weird? Is not being weird, in fact, being average?
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re kind of making sense here, sort of, I say weirdly.
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Weird is fast becoming an overly used word but part of me thinks that if it is overly used, this might mean more acceptance of diversity and our idiosyncratic differences: in that weird has almost become the norm!!! This is a weird discussion. Lol.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha!
LikeLiked by 1 person
And today I read that psychiatrists now think that we shouldn’t aim to be happy, we should aim for contentment. Happiness they say is an action, a momentary thing, and the current generation thinks that it comes from getting this particular thing be it a new outfit, a new partner, or a new TV, whereas if we aim for contentment, that is a long-term thing. Makes sense to me. I don’t remember us talking so much about happiness when I was growing up. When did the big search begin?
LikeLiked by 2 people
When life has supplied the basic needs, people look to higher senses and deeper emotions, more esoteric qualities, I think, Mari! This makes them yearn for happiness, more success, comfort etc. This is the luxury of those who have enough food in their bellies and shelter over their heads, and who live in relative safety.
It is funny that psychiatrists say we should aim for contentment as I have thought this myself, ever seen I was in my early 20’s. I questioned why I was disgruntled and longing for equality and fairness. It dawned on me that life is never fair or even and I should never expect ALWAYS to be so, thus contentment is a better goal than the fleeting moments of happiness. Having said that, I have been far more happy with my life in my later years than in my earlier when life was more of a struggle, physically, emotionally and financially.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Frank Tyger’s quote is a thought-provoking one. Initially, I thought, how are the two statements different. Giving it a deep thought,
Freedom is “Doing what you like.”
And Happiness is “Liking what you do.”
What’s interesting is, Freedom and Happiness are mutually independent states.
One might be doing what they like but still not like what they do. (Freedom doesn’t always imply Happiness)
One might be liking what they do but still not be doing what they like. (Happiness doesn’t always imply Freedom)
Let’s call the intersection between Freedom and Happiness- Goldilocks Zone.
That’s the best zone.
I hope everyone in the world finds their Goldilocks zone.
LikeLiked by 2 people
The Goldilocks zone is a good way to describe it, if only it was achievable for everyone.
Some settle for something less due to circumstance or lack of opportunity?
Then we have the random values and cultural beliefs that throw spanners. Those who may have freedom but choose via cultural or family responsibilities to deny that freedom and in doing so, create happiness for others and internally a happiness that is close to satisfaction. They may not have freedom in the purest sense, but retain freedom to decide to deny themselves that free choice or free will out of duty, respect or cultural/religious compulsion.
Perhaps I am splitting hairs?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happiness is the best option in ones life ..thanks for sharing this dearie
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My pleasure! Thanks for taking the time to comment.
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ahhhh
“Liking what you do”
happiness and much enjoyment
good topic today, Amanda
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Thanks dear Yvette!
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Hear hear! Love both the quotes.
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Thanks, sweet lady! It was kind of you to comment.
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Great quotes. Happiness I think also consists in being as busy, or as un-busy as you want. I’m stuck at home with Covid just now, so that’s bad But I don’t feel ill, so that’s good. But I can’t go out or do what I’d planned this week, so I’m bored, and boredom is not a contented state to be in, especially with too much time to be around the dreadful news events. As soon as I get busier, I’ll be happy again!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am sorry to hear that you have Covid, Margaret and I am glad that you don’t feel ill. It seems that the mood around Covid has changed from avoiding it to almost tacitly accepting it is our fate to get the virus. Although I am trying hard to avoid it.
Boredom – just like teenagers, it can be dangerous to be bored. One can easily fall into a negative space and become depressed, or angry, or anxious. I suppose you have done all those tasks at home that you never get time for?
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s the problem with boredom. It begets boredom, and unappetising tasks remain unappetising tasks. Nonetheless, I’m pleased to have Covid. It feels as if that’s one thing put of the way, and in my case, without pain, on the whole. Lot of energy today to tackle at least some of those unappetising tasks!
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It is encouraging to hear you have lots of energy despite having Covid. Hope you felt a sense of achievement at the end of the day. No cough?
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A cough and sore throat are all I have. Otherwise …. as fit as a butcher’s dog 😉
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That is an expression I have not heard!
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I heard it recently and loved it!
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Great content, this is
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Thank you
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You’re welcome!
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To me happiness is fleeting and sometimes we have to make our own!
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It is true, LaShelle! We all do have to make our own happiness. It is mostly within our control – in terms of our reactions to events. Looking for the advantage in any situation helps.
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Exactly 😁
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Good one and I agree
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Great post!
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Thank you!
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A few of the best quotes! 😁✅✅✅
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Thank you. I do like the older wisdoms or layers that can be found in interpretations of quotes.
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Very true
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