Life is a series of uphill battles, eye-opening experiences, and constant change. These moments bring stress, pain, and confusion, but among these irregularities is a base need to be happy and content in life. Without happiness, problems arise, such as feelings of despair and bitterness, and thoughts of worthlessness and a longing for something more. A life void of happiness is a life of darkness, only comparable to the disturbing onset of depression, which causes some to feel as if death is the only option to reach the joy they lack alive. Whether happiness may be found in healthy human connections and experiences, through finding peace and a strong, trusted community, or simply by living in the moment and enjoying life's adventures, it truly …show more content…
True happiness is not attained through materialistic possessions because the “initial joy fades,” but one “can continue to derive happiness from memories of experiences over time” (Landau). By establishing healthy, working relationships one is able to gain new experiences and memories, which lead to long-lasting bonds, friendships, and even romantic relationships. Consequently, research shows that when one has attained this happiness, they have a “lowered risk for cardiovascular diseases” because it causes them to “engage in healthy behaviors,” due to their “optimistic mindset” (Landau). Happiness affects the thoughts and actions of a person in a beneficial way that contributes to the bettering of an individual’s well-being, mentally and physically. It strengthens their view on life, which in turn increases their lifespan, morality towards others, and overall purpose. The human relationships, interactions, and experiences gathered throughout life develops a happiness within that is valuable for the body, mind, and …show more content…
She personifies life by writing that it will “kick you while you’re down and hit you when you try to get back up” (Gray). She shows that life will be fickle at times, and describes how some days will be tough to overcome. One can see that life is a challenge to be accepted, but not won. Instead, one must take the negatives in life and learn from it. They must “push the limits, bend the rules, and enjoy every minute of it” by living every moment as if it were their last (Gray). Only then can one reach true happiness that will lead them to a life of cheerful memories, fun experiences, and grand adventures. By pushing the limits, one is able to explore their life, so they may reach their full potential. It allows one to “cherish every moment” and treat “life [as] a gift” (Gray). This leads one to take life as it comes and make the best of every moment, which will unlock the light in their life and rid them of despair. Treating each moment in life as its own special adventure enables one to realize their life is precious and valuable. By living in the moment, regrets from the past do not limit one to succeed, and fear of the future does not prevent one from reaching what they are capable of. Taking life one step at a time provides one with a beautiful sense of happiness that is most important in the little time they have on this
Stephen M. Schuller and Acacia C. Parks research shows that circumstantial factors do not adequately explain different level of happiness. Positive reactions will contribute to everyone’s happiness just as well as negative reactions do. I agree with Schuller and Parks when it comes down to where your happiness comes from. I believe your happiness comes from how you react to every situation in your life and how you let it affect your happiness. Therefore, I do not agree with Newman and Larsen due to him believing your happiness is out of your control. Newman and Larsen state that most of what influences your long-term happiness is not in your control. Most circumstances that happen in your
It is a common thought that happiness is key to a successful life, and many try to find out how to achieve the
In the essay Why Happiness, Why Now? Sara Ahmed talks about how one’s goal in life is to find happiness. Ahmed begins her essay with skepticism and her disbeliefs in happiness. She shows her interest in how happiness is linked to a person’s life choices. Ahmed also tries to dig deeper, and instead of asking an unanswerable question, “what is Happiness?” she asks questions about the role of happiness in one’s life.
Happiness is a feeling that everyone tries to accomplish, yet some people sometimes only capture portions of it. In Brian Doyle essay, “Irreconcilable Dissonance,” he explains that divorce is becoming common among many couples today. Most couples are putting less effort into making a relationship/marriage work. There are many couples who get married, and most of them know that if the marriage does not work that divorce is always an option. With divorce in their back of their mind they lack the true meaning of having a happy marriage. In Eduardo Porter essay, “What Is Happiness,” Porter states that happiness is determined by people’s qualities in their life. People who experience a positive viewpoint on life and about others are overall to
A powerful influence over happiness is how people perceive situations and how they choose to engage with others. Life may change within an instant and have a spiraling spin of high and low points, but the positive state of mind and the value of social relationships determine the
Through a series of assessment tools, she reveals the types of activities that we can commit to doing on a daily basis which will improve our level of happiness. She reinforces the numerous benefits of being happier. Happier people are more sociable and energetic, more charitable and cooperative, and better liked by others. Being happy boosts their immune systems, improves productivity, and can lead to a longer life. It allows them to be more creative and...
They say if you love something, let it go. Yeah, I had a hard time believing those few words, for almost five years now.I met the first guy I fell in love with and whom I believed I was destined to spend my whole life with. I remember reading a quote or something like that by Plato, saying, “According to Greek mythology, humans were originally created with four arms, four legs and a head with two faces. Fearing their power, Zeus split them into two separate parts, condemning them to spend their lives in search of their other halves.” And I had sworn that I was sure he was my other half, that it was meant to be. Sucks though, when reality hits
Happiness plays an important and necessary role in the lives of people around the world. In America, happiness has been engrained in our national consciousness since Thomas Jefferson penned these famous words in the Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” (Jefferson). Since then, Americans have been engaged in that act: pursuing happiness. The problem however, as Ray Bradbury demonstrates in his novel Fahrenheit 451, is that those things which make us happy initially may eventually lead to our downfall. By examining Guy Montag, the protagonist in Fahrenheit 451, and the world he lives in we can gain valuable insights to direct us in our own pursuit of happiness. From Montag and other characters we will learn how physical, emotional, and spiritual happiness can drastically affect our lives. We must ask ourselves what our lives, words, and actions are worth. We should hope that our words are not meaningless, “as wind in dried grass” (Eliot).
“The Art of Happiness: A Handbook for Living” is a collaboration by His Holiness the Dalai Lama XIV and Howard C. Cutler, M.D., who identify many possible components that could lead to a happy and satisfying life. Their approach combines and integrates the thoughts of East and West; Buddhist principles and practices on one hand and Western science and psychology on the other. Many everyday difficulties are highlighted in this book, and Dalai Lama and Dr. Cutler attempts to help the readers find appropriate solutions in order to find a balanced and lasting happiness. Dalai Lama’s understanding of the factors that ultimately lead to happiness is based on a lifetime of methodically observing his own mind, exploring the nature of the human condition, and investigating these things within a framework first established by The
The first noble truth states that to live is to suffer (Ellwood, McGraw, 122). With a body comes decay and pain, and with the mind comes trouble and discouragement. Each day requires us to decide what to do with our lives and what we have to do in order to achieve happiness. Daily life becomes a to-do list which can lead to frustra...
Happiness is a feeling that everyone aims to accomplish, yet some people seem to only catch a sight of it. Gratifying atonement, a state of well-being, and serenity are the more eminent elements of happiness. David G. Myers and Ed Diener propose the article “Who Is Happy?” which present aspects of happiness, a theory that recognizes adaptation, cultural world view, and personal goals. I believe through word of mouth and through those whom we look up to, we are told many myths about happiness, especially the biggest myth that money can buy happiness. In Daniel Gilbert’s “Reporting Live from Tomorrow”, he argues that the definition of happiness is not defined by wealth and that we rely on super-replicators and surrogates to make decisions that we feel will enhance our happiness. Our economic history has proven the idea of declining marginal utility. If we pursue life and liberty without happiness, our lives, quality, and value will slowly vanish, but the absence of wealth has nothing to do with one’s happiness.
Everyday choices and habits affect the wellbeing of humans. Recent research documents the unique habits of the people who are happiest in life. According to the data of scientist and professor of psychology at George Mason University, Todd Kashdan, “activities that lead us to feel uncertainty, discomfort, and even a dash of guilt are associated with some of the most memorable and enjoyable experiences of people’s lives” (Kashdan). Therefore, happy people “engage in a wide range of counterintuitive habits that seem, well, downright unhappy” (Kashdan). Essentially happy people take more risks. They have the knowledge that by taking these risks, they can learn how to manage uncomfortable feelings in life. Many people are averse to risk and things that make them uncertain. However, by taking risks and trying new things one experiences personal growth and feel positive emotions which can lead to a more positive mindset. Examples of these actions improving overall/genuine happiness can be anything from trying an odd, new food to leaving the country for volunteer work. While someone might feel nervous at first, many of these risks will end up working out well in the end. You never know what may come out of a new experience and this is a primary reason why taking risks can lead to positive emotions. Through risk taking, genuine happiness will increase as lasting memories are created and a shift occurs toward a more positive, open mindset for the
Achieving long-term personal happiness is possible with hard work and perseverance by using several methods. Understanding and following various steps to have fulfillment can change your life. By consistently following an assortment of important steps, you will develop a life pattern that is generally happy. Many people throughout history have attempted to find ways to become happier, and share the information with others. While there are occasionally things that should make a person unhappy, it is important to not allow unhappiness to become a lifelong pattern that destroys you mentally and physically. In addition, happy people tend to have more friends and success because they are fun to associate with.
Happiness is a feeling that humans naturally desire. Without it, one feels incomplete. In this generation, happiness has taken on a definition by how we are presented to one another. It is measured by how much money we have, how famous we are, or the things we possess. When in reality, none of these things guarantee a happy life. Happiness is something that cannot be bought with money, but rather, it must be found, earned, sought after. Each and every one of us has our own list of things that we consider to make us happy. However, happiness shines brightest through the relationships we create, and the goals we make for ourselves to strive after. Along with these two essential sources, we then can mix and match those things in life that we enjoy to create our own unique formula for happiness.
...e way. Apart from success, good health and longevity are associated with happiness. The lightheartedness that accompanies happiness has been said to lower the chance of strokes and heart attacks. Laughter releases tension and add to persons overall sense of well-being. Happiness is not death, or sorrow. It is not gloom, depression or heavy-heartedness. Happiness does not lament nor does it worry. It is neither moody nor pensive, neither wanton nor pessimistic. Happiness does not mourn for what was it instead rejoices in what will be. Happiness comes through good fortune and through loving and being loved. Eating a good meal, being in good health and enjoying the comforts of life can also achieve it. The simple pleasures of life bring happiness, whether it be enjoying a favorite dessert, smelling a rose or running in the rain.