Happiness is............

[mistygal3]

Hey peeps!

Sorry to get all philosophical on ye but I've been having this debate with my bestie about what defines happiness! Its different for everyone but I'm not sure I've ever truly been happy, there's always something about my life I want to change :D

Thoughts? What makes you happiest or what do you think would make you happy?

:)

[talisman]

A relative state of mind?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hedonic_treadmill

You see it in lottery winners, even people with the "perfect job" - they're largely just as happy, or unhappy, as everyone else. Apparently the only two things which affect long-term happiness are the quality of your social connections (how good your friends and family are) and unemployment (but once out of that, with no distinction between bad employment and good employment)

Well, this is all from a research point of view though, and even then we don't know so much yet :D

---
Japanese food and travel (http://foodjapan.net) :: foodjapan.net (http://foodjapan.net) :: latest - Day 17: Asahikawa, in the centre of Hokkaido (http://foodjapan.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=107:day-17-asahikawa&catid=34:blog&Itemid=66)

[ammonite]

i was gonna post that link too :D

The Art of Happiness (book) talks about trying to raise your default level of happiness

[Gemcourage]

I don't know what it is. But, it differs for everyone. I think I've got it, but I don't feel it. I have a great family and friends, and a good job, and enough money to keep me going for now.
But I also have depression. So I still can't feel good about it. Which makes me feel guilty quite a bit...but I'm working on it.

[Tatsuya]

Muki says:
Having someone to love.

Everything else, especially the bad things that happen, become minor details in life when you have someone that you love and you know they love you back just as much.

I know that even if I was dirt poor and hungry, I'll still be happy as long as I have Tat's.

Happiness is also having a dog. Cause you know, they love you too.

[cilipadi]

Apparently the only two things which affect long-term happiness are the quality of your social connections (how good your friends and family are) and unemployment (but once out of that, with no distinction between bad employment and good employment)



i think that there is a definite distinction between good employment and bad employment. having a job you don't enjoy can really drain the life out of you.

[Light-Bearer]

Happiness is an illusion created by brain chemistry.

Or medications.

[Totka]

Is a learned skill.

[Phazz]

whatever you want it to be.

[alienshe]

I remember a time when I was happy, I had friends that truly liked me....and then that went all down the toilet. x_x Now I'm on Zoloft which makes me like a numb zombie.

[talisman]

I remember a time when I was happy, I had friends that truly liked me....and then that went all down the toilet. x_x Now I'm on Zoloft which makes me like a numb zombie.

Just curious... what happened?

---
Japanese food and travel (http://foodjapan.net) :: foodjapan.net (http://foodjapan.net) :: latest - Day 17: Asahikawa, in the centre of Hokkaido (http://foodjapan.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=107:day-17-asahikawa&catid=34:blog&Itemid=66)

[Light-Bearer]

Happiness is the silence in between catastrophic events

[ammonite]

http://www.psych.umn.edu/courses/fall06/macdonalda/psy4960/Readings/LyubomirskySustain_RGP05.pdf

50% genetic
10% life circumstances
40% changeable

i would have thought life circumstances had a lot more to do with it

[Dash80]

Hapiness is good soup.

Honestly, it is.

[Lalalaface]

Hapiness is good soup.

Honestly, it is.

Ah, Dash. You speak the truth, o wise one.

[alienshe]

Just curious... what happened?

I either pushed people away or they slowly drifted away for no reason I can think of.