Coffee Thursdays...
In pursuit of happiness
I believe the very purpose of our life is to seek happiness. By definition, happiness is an emotional or affective state that is characterized by feelings of enjoyment, contentment or satisfaction.
Happiness is the only thing that humans desire for its own sake.
Is anyone truly happy? Horace wrote in his work Satires: We rarely find anyone who can say he has lived a happy life, and who, content with his life, can retire from the world like a satisfied guest.
One solitary rainy afternoon over a cup of coffee I asked a friend: Are you happy? He gave me a strange look, uncertain and with deep thoughts he said impishly: sometimes. Then, I asked, why? He said he is happy when he gets the things he wants and get frustrated when in failure. Furthermore I added, I guess everybody can't have everything. Is it difficult to attain lasting happiness then? There was silence and the conversation ended.
But I thought, It all depends, on what is the source of our happiness. If it is money, what if we don't have that much as we wanted? By experience, A colleague was very happy after knowing that his salary will be raised by 5% the next year, but later he was so envious hearing a co-worker will get 7% higher. How much money do we need then to qualify a state of contentment? When will enough money be called enough? Hobart Brown once said that people with 10 million dollars are no happier than people with 9 million dollars.
Power or Fame? How long will it last? If you loose your looks or come to age can one still be happy realizing he can't have it all. Years will come and everything will wither and fade. For when once a man has made celebrity necessary to his happiness, he has put it in the power of the weakest and most timorous malignity, if not to take away his satisfaction, as quoted from Samuel Johnson.
Love, a very cliché and complicated subject. Is it realistic that people still live by love even in hunger? Love even when careers in failure? Love even personal dreams cannot be attained? How can you bring a smile to the face of a man and his family after losing his job, with mouths to feed and an empty refrigerator?
People who sought riches not for the sake of being rich, but believes money can provide satisfaction. But the rule of money is always uncertain. Those who sought fame desired not to be famous, but because they believe fame would bring them intense joy and recognition. Fame is passing. Those who sought love believe the feeling reciprocated can bring contentment. Are we talking about conditional love? Money, fame and love are the essential factors of happiness. And this can't be attained all at once.
Please enlighten me. I am dwelling in reality of the harsh world that I no longer believe in such beautiful things as I used to when I was younger. I am drifting away and happiness now becomes an elusive stranger.
I asked myself this question: What makes me happy?
After some quiet moments alone, I managed to write 5 things down and thought whenever I feel blue I will take a look at my list and try to do whatever I can. I hope this helps.
I am happy when…
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I know my Family and loved ones are happy.
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I am able to do things and work right, productive and creative.
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I feel loved from the people I care
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I travel, meet friends and enjoy each others company
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I have my perfect cup of coffee and don't have to worry about anything!
What makes you happy?
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