Is Happiness Everything
by Is happiness everything or have we been sold a bill of goods? The funny thing about visualized happiness is it isn’t real. Happiness comes from living a satisfying life, not from chanting, "I am wealthy, I am beautiful, I am successful.
We can work so hard at being happy that we end up making ourselves miserable.This relentless focus on happy faces and positive thinking when our circumstances are drastic is distracting and dangerous.
Is happiness everything? Have we been sold a bill of goods when it comes to happiness? Quotes such as, “Climb as high as you can dream” and coffee cups inscribed, ” Shoot for the stars” Are we working so hard at being happy that we are truly making ourselves miserable? Last year 4,000 books were published on being happy. That’s up from 50 in 2000. Happiness should come from living a satisfying life, not from spouting cheerful phrases or visualizing along with Oprah trying to be really cheerful with “I am beautiful, wealthy, and successful.” That’s the funny thing about obsession with smiley faced happiness. It isn’t real.
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Most of us are in the middle of a recession. We have lost money, jobs, and we are struggling to keep our heads above water. It’s not a particular time to be overjoyed. While Europeans are shown to be happier, especially Italians, the fact is Americans are not, even with this relentless focus on happy faces and positive thinking. In her new book: Bright Sided, Barbara Ehrenreich calls positive thinking “a mass delusion.” She claims that an unrelenting drive to train our brains to overcome problems and to blame ourselves for failure has blinded us to inequality, incompetence, and stupidity.
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The crux of positive thinking is that you can will anything you want to happen. That is just not true, and the worse things are the more you are encouraged to think positive. We have been hoodwinked. While we have been doing all this positive thinking. The rich have gotten richer and the poor have become poorer. While the country’s wealth has shot up, the gap between the rich and poor have gotten wider and wider. Urging positive thinking when the country is going to hell in a hand basket is not just beside the point, it’s destructive and distracting. That’s why Ehrenreich dedicates her book to “complainers everywhere” inciting them to ” turn up the volume.
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The most inspiring people are the least obsessed with happiness. As Eleanor Roosevelt said, happiness is not a goal, it’s a by product.
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If you found the above article helpful you might want to check out the following.
http://socyberty.com/lifestyle-choices/the-will-to-live/
http://lifestyle-choices/love-is-forgiveness/
http://socyberty.com/issues/feeding-the-hungry/
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Post CommentRask Balavoine
On December 23, 2009 at 5:44 am
Happiness is over-rated I think Ruby, just like Shakespeare and the Beatles. Give me awareness any day. I still intend to enjoy Christmas!
Eunice Tan
On December 23, 2009 at 5:55 am
I agree with Eleanor. Nothing is meaningless if we are not happy.
AlmaG
On December 23, 2009 at 6:18 am
Happiness for me is livng a peaceful life and fulfilling my innermost desires in life like achieving my greatest dreams.
ken bultman
On December 23, 2009 at 6:51 am
Well done, Ruby. What makes one happy won’t affect another one way or another. People write How To Be Happy books because we buy them, not because they work. (I know why Italians are happy.)
ken bultman
On December 23, 2009 at 6:54 am
Right on Ruby. What makes one person happy won’t have any effect on someone else. It’s a personal thing. Authors write How To Be Happy books because we buy them, not because they work.
(I know why Italians are happy.)
abhishek40914
On December 23, 2009 at 7:29 am
very good work dear, keep it up
Aiyanna
On December 23, 2009 at 7:32 am
Excellent article and just what I needed with everything else happening around me… This was a good wake up to make me think for myself… Think the greatest key to happiness is to be able to reconcile with your Creator and enjoying small things in life… Its the sense of satisfaction that has to come from within…. Thank you for sharing this
Reilley
On December 23, 2009 at 7:47 am
Although you are correct in saying that merely TRYING to be happy will not make it so, I wonder if one can be happy without trying? Is anyone ever accidentally happy?
I don’t know, but I like your writing sytle.
deep blue
On December 23, 2009 at 7:49 am
Well written ,Ruby. If we could be happy sitting on a chair, there’s no point climbing the highest mountain, swimming the deepest sea and diving out in the sky and pop out a parachute to value our dear life.
Joshua Miguel
On December 23, 2009 at 8:22 am
100% agree that happiness is not a goal, it’s a by product. tnx for the share.
Christine Ramsay
On December 23, 2009 at 8:23 am
It doesn’t take a lot to make me happy. I have always been an optimist. It is just as well as my hubby is all doom and gloom, lol. I don’t think I would buy a book to make me happy. That would be a waste of money. A very interesting article, Ruby.
Christine
Starpisces
On December 23, 2009 at 9:08 am
Very good one!
Some people, in the journey of pursuing more happiness, lose their existing happiness…
CRYSTAL EVANS
On December 23, 2009 at 9:14 am
very profound article ruby. when i was in school, my teachers and my family made me believe that i could be happy with a great education that will lead to wealth and prosperity since i have been on my own and taken on my life goal which is the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom..i have conceded that what the media says makes me happy wont happen and i cant force my self to be happy when my situation is unfavorable and pain and misery is all around me. my country jamaica has suffered greatly during this economical recession but the rich is till getting richer and the poor well pooorer and deader in the inner cities. its very hard to be happy in times like these.
thanks for sharing ruby.X you touch something deep in me>X
standingproud
On December 23, 2009 at 9:29 am
Ruby I have thought a lot about HAPPY.
I feel it is a feeling of contentment with in ones self.
HAPPY with what they have, with out complaining.
We were very poor, we had nothing but we had it all.
Jenny Heart
On December 23, 2009 at 9:54 am
Much food for thought here.
Gijo George
On December 23, 2009 at 10:01 am
Happiness is related to time. Every time we can’t maintain the same happy state of mind because of various struggles in our life.
T. S. Lewis
On December 23, 2009 at 10:10 am
Well said
clay hurtubise
On December 23, 2009 at 10:21 am
Good job Ruby, and an appropiate time of year to post it!
Thanks,
Clay
K.Reshma
On December 23, 2009 at 10:44 am
This is a very interesting article
Debra.
On December 23, 2009 at 10:48 am
Very thought-provoking article, Ruby! How does one achieve happiness, I believe is a chain of things. To me, being happy is a state of mind and the invents that take place in your life and how you perceive, success. First, I am happy with who I am, the birth of my children, the day my boys graduated from school, the day I won the lottery, when I graduated, when my son sang in the school play, waking up to a beautiful morning. These are all things that make me happy, and things I perceive as success in my life.
papaleng
On December 23, 2009 at 10:58 am
great insight, but I guess, happiness can be achieve but not Joy. for join come not from material gains or possession but from being content in things the Lord has given and will give you.
pattiann
On December 23, 2009 at 11:03 am
Fantastic article! I am going to share this with my daughter. She will come up with something philosophical about happiness.
I liked the article, too, as it gives me something to think about.
Keep up the great work!
Linda Lori
On December 23, 2009 at 11:22 am
Wonderful article!
Brenda Nelson
On December 23, 2009 at 11:28 am
Indeed it is a by-product, and most people have no idea that it is a state of mind. I think its either in you or its not. I grew up suffering from depression. As life went by I had some changes, good, and bad, but eventually found happiness, I dont know where it came from, it just did.
wonder
On December 23, 2009 at 11:55 am
Very true.Happiness is internal.The last paragraph is worth reckoning.
Glynis Smy
On December 23, 2009 at 12:54 pm
Contentment and happiness, is all I ask and at present I have.
virtualredheart
On December 23, 2009 at 2:08 pm
i dream of happiness too… but sometimes need sadness to balance my emotion. nice expression of ideas.
Parish Loveless
On December 23, 2009 at 2:23 pm
I am very glad to see that you wrote on this topic. You see, many people are being fed this very idea that “happiness” must be fulfilled. Whether it be in a pill, book or seminar … it has become a very big marketing campaign for some of the riches corportaions and the elite. Psychologists are working with corporations, politicians and even the military to test and sell these so called “happy pills”. They are making millions by informing Americans of depression, sadness, lonilness and stating that a solution can come in these various forms. Well, I can tell you that my happiness does not come from any book, pill or seminar … it is not that easy! It comes from hard work, dedication, and sacrifice. It is not an issue of selfish fulfillment, and it is certainly a matter of perspective! Wonderful post
8Shei8
On December 23, 2009 at 2:33 pm
You made an excellent point Ruby! Thank you for the new insight to happiness.
Val Mills
On December 23, 2009 at 3:45 pm
Your title grabbed me right from the start and then I enjoyed the whole read. I hope a few people who need it read this. I think it takes a lot of life circumstances to recognise what true happiness is and that happiness comes and goes.
Marie Antoinette
On December 23, 2009 at 4:21 pm
What a thought provoking article. I agree with you in that Happiness comes from living a satisfying or fulfilled life. But I also think that there is a misconception of happiness. Hapiness is not a cheerful state all the time. I think you can be happy in the midst of hard times, when you learn to look at situations the way they are, and can learn from them. We are the only ones that can control how we view and react to situations. You can choose to look at the half empty glass or the half full one, but they are the same glass. I think we have made our quest for fulfillment equal to a quest for happiness, and I see them as related to one another but different. I don’t believe that just because you think positive to attract what you want it will just materialize, but instead, I believe in wanting something so much that you put faith, a positive attitude, and hard work towards it – those combined will prepare the way for it to become real in your life. I enjoyed your article a lot.
Authoress Terry E. Lyle
On December 23, 2009 at 4:51 pm
What a wonderful topic to write about, this article is well written with it’s insights and thought provoking ideas. Ms. Ruby well done my friend.
Lex92
On December 23, 2009 at 6:00 pm
I was always told you’re happy if you want to be happy. thought provoking article..for me anyway… Merry Christmas (Frohe Weihnachten (merry christmas in german))
Paul Roberts
On December 23, 2009 at 7:13 pm
We have different priorties and different goals, all driven by our suroundings. some say it is peer pressure.I agree to some point and right now it seems immediate happiness is the priority. A shame. Friend, fan, smile
thuanynguyen
On December 23, 2009 at 7:54 pm
Yeah Its so true. But for myself I try to be happy so I can always feel better. So much pressure around these days so best to be happy as sometimes you cant help the way life is. keep up the good work and merry christmas
Remmyramesh
On December 23, 2009 at 9:40 pm
Truly positive and the momen’s need for many..
Judy Kaelin
On December 23, 2009 at 10:05 pm
Nice article, I believe that happiness comes from within.
jaysonv
On December 24, 2009 at 12:22 am
great post.. thanks for sharing.. Merry Christmas!
gaby7
On December 24, 2009 at 4:28 am
You raise some very serious issues here Hawk! Happiness is indeed a complicate subject to comprehend.
Netty net
On December 24, 2009 at 8:37 am
Sometime its hard to be happy, some people can pretend to happy but if only they could sit down sit down think why, some times we don’t know the answer. writing helps me
BliveDestiny
On December 24, 2009 at 8:44 am
Happiness is nothing but a state of mind which alters every now and then depending upon situations around us. It depends on you if you wish to derive happiness or sadness out of any situation. When the situation is favourable you become happy and when unfavourable you are unhappy. Correct me if I am wrong.
Dukaporax
On December 24, 2009 at 10:47 am
I have to three words to say: Be realistic, be honest and be yourself http://socyberty.com/advice/an-ideal-way-to-begin-the-new-year/
merry x-mass to all
Ramalingam
On December 24, 2009 at 11:19 am
Thought provoking article.Thank you
fashion girl
On December 24, 2009 at 11:53 am
happiness of my family and friends is everything for me….
sihana
On December 24, 2009 at 2:45 pm
I could not agree more. Thanks for this really great article.
zeo
On December 24, 2009 at 3:56 pm
True happiness is indeed internal, but it is soo much more than that. True happiness is eternal. This ever sought after form of happiness can only be found through a true and deep realationship with Jesus Christ. Read James first Chapter for more.
V rank
On December 24, 2009 at 7:32 pm
Joy is heavier in sense of meaning than hapiness… Joy is a total hapiness one feels not dependent from any material position… It’s complete satisfaction of what one person has… Thank you for sharing what gives you joy – writing…!
LoveDoctor
On December 25, 2009 at 2:23 am
Excellent and well-written article. For me, happiness is a state of mind. There are things in my daily life that make me happy. I do believe that happiness can be achieved, but yes, it is hard to remain happy especially in these economic times. We must have faith and hope for the best.
martie
On December 25, 2009 at 8:58 am
This makes sense to me, most people are so busy trying to be happy, that they don’t even notice those moments when they honestly feel that way.
Shirley Shuler
On December 26, 2009 at 6:15 pm
While happiness is a wonderful part of life, Ruby, I am sorry to say it is not everything!!
S A JOHNSON
On December 26, 2009 at 11:21 pm
I think this is an interesting article and that searching for happiness instead of letting it happen, can hinder it. I also think that people think that they can only be happy when they have the things they want that they hardly realize when they are happy. Or they expect that if they really were happy, they would never be sad. To think that way is foolish and I think that for some it can cause wanting of unnecessary things.
I really like this article and I think it’s very well written and thought out.
richardcavessa
On December 27, 2009 at 11:12 pm
without sadness, happiness would be a non issue.
just saying
PR Mace
On December 28, 2009 at 11:45 pm
Very interesting article. But I think we must have some measure of happiness in our lives.
ryan subong
On December 29, 2009 at 4:12 pm
great article.
Nick1254367
On December 30, 2009 at 2:54 am
Hi,
Interesting thoughts. I completely agree. However I think, happiness is still a tricky word. I had a shot at trying to define it in a more “scientific” or “objective” way, despite it being a subjective feeeling: What is happiness?
I would love to hear your thoughts! Thank you, Nick