True Happiness?

[ModernArtist25]

Studies have been found that once all of your basic needs are met, any more money that you make is only going to bring you temporary happiness but then you go back to your base line of happiness. Do you all think it is not possible for a homeless man to be happy? Can the brain be trained to be happy no matter what the situation?

[Prometheus]

Best to find that happy medium.

 

We are all the sum of our tears. Too little and the ground is not fertile, and nothing can grow there. Too much, the best of us is washed away.

[DrP]

"the secret to a happy life is contentment"... according to Paul I think.

 

If this quote is true, then does this mean happiness/contentment a choice?

[iNow]

Sometimes people are predisposed to certain brain chemistries and clearly can't choose how their neurochemistry works, but often they can train themselves to minimize the negative aspects and respond more positively when those unconscious patterns manifest.

[dimreepr]

The problem, I think, with achieving contentment is that people always seem to be conflating it with happiness; happy is an emotional state and so it's fleeting.

 

Being content requires a lack of emotion, and is a base state of being that is free of unnecessary fear and anxiety.

 

Ask yourself this, do I NEED anything right now, at this moment in time? Even if you're homeless, you seldom, actually, need anything other than food, water and shelter; so a bridge for shelter an apple for food and the rain for water, would satisfy; whilst a friendly gesture or a bottle of beer would make them happy.

 

My dogs are happy when I say "walkies" or when a squirrel is spotted, they're satisfied when I stroke or feed them and are content to lie down and wait for the next stimulus.

Edited August 25, 2016 by dimreepr

[Prometheus]

...content to lie down and wait for the next stimulus.

 

That seems to be key: not fearing or anticipating things to be. But there is a danger of becoming 'flabby': stopping doing things in life because whatever comes comes anyway. I imagine it something like playing a game - you try,whole-heartedly, for a certain outcome, but really you're doing it because it is fun; win, lose or draw.

[dimreepr]

 

 

stopping doing things in life because whatever comes comes anyway.

 

 

Whilst that is true, we still need to find food water and shelter whatever our circumstance and that comes before a lie down, life isn't just about our needs we also have wants and ambitions; a homeless man still wants a home.

 

When our needs are satisfied we get a choice, do I want a lie down more than I want the extra's?

 

The trick is "Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not" - Epicurus

 

But there is a danger of becoming 'flabby'

 

 

 

Do you imagine this because you're a Buddhist?

[Sophie Lux]

True happiness is subjective.

[StringJunky]

Happiness is a transient, heightened emotional state caused by an imbalance of the neurotransmitters that produce that feeling; I invariably end up on a downer after. I aim for Buddha-like calm; that is a sustainable and positive state; the feeling of serenity is beautiful and can be more enduring than the roller coaster ride of happiness.

[dimreepr]

True happiness is subjective.

 

 

This isn't a long thread to read before you post.

[StringJunky]

 

 

This isn't a long thread to read before you post.

A bit harsh mate. She's only 14 and joined yesterday.

Edited August 29, 2016 by StringJunky

[dimreepr]

Sorry, it's just a pet peeve of mine.

[Atom Man]

I think we learn to believe that happiness is something we find, get, attain, etc. If we look at dogs, some are just happy, and some aren't. I think people are like this in many ways. Some people are artistic, some mathematical, etc. Although I have no data to back this up, I would suspect that, like many other things, individuals have inherent tendencies to be happier or less happy. I know people who are just, well, bubbly! Like a bird - chirp chirp - happy happy happy - laugh giggle ya ya! And there are other people who just seem to be dour, drab, and generally blah. I would suspect that we start with a genetic predisposition in some way(s), and then as with so many other aspects of our personalities, have that predisposed character worked on by life, the world, etc. I'm sure that, had my chipper friend had her children killed in a prison camp, she might not be such a happy camper.

 

There's also the difference between "happiness" and "contentment." I think I'm more content that happy. I don't laugh lot, but I'm very contented with life, what I've done, where I am now. I'm happy washing the dishes. I never get up and think, "Uh, I don't want to go to work today! (I'm self-employed with a wife who keeps me insured - so I think that probably has something to do with it!)