Happiness is...

I think happiness is neither real NOR a distraction.

The definition of happiness varies from person to person, naturally. Because of this, it can have no tangible definition. Money is not always happiness, nor is love or health.

At the same time, happiness is incredibly important to survival. What makes a person happy is usually what gives them hope and motivation to move on through life.

Personally, I think happiness comes to me in the small, simple things. If you can't enjoy a bright sunny day or a simple act of kindness, you're fucked. All you will ever do is sit around waiting for the HUGE shit, which is far and few between.

Once you enjoy the simple, basic things, you can find that happiness is neither a distraction or a reality - nothing lasts forever and nothing is perfect. Accept things and roll with it.

How ya doing, buddy?

Originally Posted by Metaconsciou§

Of course, words are just symbols we use to convey some level of meaning or feeling. Everything is relative. And yes, if one can find happiness in the small things then you will lead a generally happy life. However, there is something to be said against complacency - not just with yourself, but with all things. Accepting everything as it is, and toughing it out isn't always going to cut it. There is valuable practicality in being realistic, however, there is hope in our ideals. If we can approach our ideals with a flexible grasp on realism we can obtain a much better quality life for all.

Yea, you're the reason people are never happy with their lives.

You can sit there and think about how the stones never move or how the trees always move, and RETHINK REALITY a million times - you will always be right where you started after all is said and done. YOU WILL DIE, but BEFORE you die, you will LIVE. Thats all it boils down to. Your bullshit crap about REALITY and DISTRACTION are YOUR distractions.

No matter your path or philosophies in life, you need to take things in stride and appreciate the stupid shit.

Also, the attempt at being deep fails. You should give up.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Originally Posted by Metaconsciou§

How can I possible account for everyone's unhappiness? In the end we are who we are, not what we are told. If what I say upsets, disgusts, irritates you, then by all means, execute your free will by ignoring it, or contesting it, as you already have.

You waste a lot of time typing up a bunch of hot air, sir.

Quote:

YES. Indeed they are MY distractions, not yours; I was not attempting to superimpose them over your own. I can only explain, describe, postulate from my own perspective. I can only speak from my own perspective, I was in no way trying to speak for you, or the greater whole, humanity. I earnestly believe there is worth in our ideals. I am not suggesting that we should go out of our way to be dissatisfied. NO, we should be happy, now, where we are, for what we have - but - there are problems and issues in this world, not just on the individual level. I speak in concern for all us, as a race. We have farther to go, more to accomplish, we have not yet reached the peak of our evolution.

You, sir, have spent an exorbitant amount of time in your philosophy class.

Life isn't about inner reflection, examining self-growth and consideration of human flaw. If you think thats what it's about, you damned well better wake up and move on. Sure, you're probably young and you have lots of time on your hands. Much like the Greeks back in their day.

The more you pine over your happiness, the more you consider it, analyze it, reflect upon it, the less SENSE it makes. The less it MEANS to you.

Go pick a fucking flower. Smell it, and then walk away. Do not think further on it.

Quote:

I am who I am. You are who you are.

Thanks for proving exactly what I said in my first post, Modified. -_-

Quote:

I am not play-acting here, I am not perfect. I am not where I would like to be yet, but I value my thoughts as well as my actions. And I appreciate others thoughts and actions as well, even yours, though you obviously disagree or misunderstand my position. We are all free to think and act as we please. I only wish to share my thoughts. Yes, in the end, it is what it is. However, not only through my actions, but through the sharing of my thoughts and speculations as well, I feel I find out a great deal more about who I am as well as who others are.

YEA, GEE. Way to say exactly what I said in about 4 times the length!

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Originally Posted by Encephalon

Why would it mean less to me to think and ponder over my happiness? I'm a little puzzled as to how this works because last I checked it wasn't a urinal cake... :/

Not ponder over your own happiness, but happiness in general.

"What is happiness? Why am I happy? Where does happiness come from? What makes my measure of happiness different from others?"

You're overthinking when you start with that bullshit. Just BE HAPPY and get over the ideas behind it. Thinking about happiness only belittles it. I am saying you should just FEEL it and not THINK about where it comes from, why it exists, and compare it to other things.

But if you have to ask yourself if you're happy or not, you probably aren't. =p

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Originally Posted by Encephalon

I think that philosophically overreaching for happiness IS the substitute that Metaconscious is talking about

Philosophically searching for happiness only brings dismay. Because there is no happiness without sadness, anger, yadda fucking yadda.

Philosophy likes to think it's useful. It's really not. More destructive than anything, if you ask me.

Quote:

but, like you, I concur that it's kind of pointless to over-analyze that as opposed to enjoying the little things; you know...

Little things that make you smile, yea. Life is full of them. Best to indulge in them, appreciate them, and value them. You may miss them someday.

Quote:

Enjoying the air coming in through your sunroof as opposed to going on a road rage rampage.

Road rage is INFINITELY better than enjoying a blazing sun. But ah. The ever-present conflict with the philosophy. What makes YOU happy may not make ME happy -s o why bother analyzing it. It's not that consequential.

Quote:

Saying "good morning, sunshine!" instead of "fucking sunshine, it's morning..."

Yea, no.

I was speaking idiomatically.

Originally Posted by Encephalon

Well, it's an obvious romanticization, but you get the idea no?

Of being a morning person? Not at fucking all.

(Yea, I know what you're saying. I just think philosophy in itself is fucking retarded - especially when you're trying to figure out what makes you happy, the origin of happiness, ultimate happiness, yadda fucking yadda. I hate assholes who overthink it. ;_; )

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?