What makes you happy?
in Philosophy ·
Indeed, I have experienced that exact same correlation with food, though I exclude chocolate from my equation. Chocolate is a legitimate foodstuff that has been scientifically proven to boost mood—specifically enhancing positivity and joy. However, that feeling of satiety after a heavy lunch is what I would truly define as the satisfaction of a full stomach. Fortunately, achieving that requires entirely different factors. One can be hungry yet perfectly happy. For me, happiness is primarily driven by others, specifically those close to me.
And love, certainly! 😍, most people immediately think of love when asked to define happiness. Love... but what does it transform into when it is unrequited (in the context of a relationship between two people)? A source of misery? To what extent does this happiness depend on ourselves, or rather, our own egos? If we expect nothing—meaning we seek neither reciprocity nor validation, finding fulfillment simply in the fact that we feel loved—can we bypass misery and remain perpetually happy?
Happiness as a piece of sunlight. That is an interesting comparison, given that sunlight exposure is one of the primary elements that promotes good spirits. Add some chocolate to the mix, and perhaps we might actually catch a wave of sudden euphoria, ha.
As for comparing oneself to the rest of the world, I cannot say for certain. If I compare my situation to Albania, perhaps I am doing better, which might offer a fleeting sense of contentment, if not true happiness. But if I compare myself to Denmark, I descend straight into depression. Friends, however, consistently rank among the highest sources of pleasure and happiness in various studies.
Reconciling with fate—"accepting what you cannot change" as rustygull12 puts it—strikes me as mere resignation. In modern American society, boundaries are dissolving. Nothing stops us from pursuing whatever will make us happy. Information is accessible to everyone through endless media channels. The prevailing sentiment today is that "everyone is the architect of their own fortune." There is no such thing as something you cannot change. You simply have to want it.
And love, certainly! 😍, most people immediately think of love when asked to define happiness. Love... but what does it transform into when it is unrequited (in the context of a relationship between two people)? A source of misery? To what extent does this happiness depend on ourselves, or rather, our own egos? If we expect nothing—meaning we seek neither reciprocity nor validation, finding fulfillment simply in the fact that we feel loved—can we bypass misery and remain perpetually happy?
Happiness as a piece of sunlight. That is an interesting comparison, given that sunlight exposure is one of the primary elements that promotes good spirits. Add some chocolate to the mix, and perhaps we might actually catch a wave of sudden euphoria, ha.
As for comparing oneself to the rest of the world, I cannot say for certain. If I compare my situation to Albania, perhaps I am doing better, which might offer a fleeting sense of contentment, if not true happiness. But if I compare myself to Denmark, I descend straight into depression. Friends, however, consistently rank among the highest sources of pleasure and happiness in various studies.
Reconciling with fate—"accepting what you cannot change" as rustygull12 puts it—strikes me as mere resignation. In modern American society, boundaries are dissolving. Nothing stops us from pursuing whatever will make us happy. Information is accessible to everyone through endless media channels. The prevailing sentiment today is that "everyone is the architect of their own fortune." There is no such thing as something you cannot change. You simply have to want it.