April 24, 2007
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Happiness
"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."
You could probably debate the validity over the statement that you already have the first two (life and liberty), but let us assume for the moment that you are indeed alive and that living here in the world has granted you at least some modicum of liberty, however limited or restricted you may perceive it to be. Most of us are not so much concerned over those two throughout the course of our lives. Rather, we become most concerned and dedicated with finding that final one: happiness. It is that ever elusive and often fleeting emotion which gently passes across us at times, teasing us with a brief glimpse, a small taste of what it has to offer before flying off into the distance once more. In a world filled with materialistic concerns, often many believe that money will bring happiness, and deceptively so. If you are incapable of being happy now, no amount of money will ever ease your suffering enough to bring you lasting happiness. It is not something that is found in owning things, in toys, in having all the wealth and status you covet and desire, because those things only bring temporary gratification and you will find that the other emotions that plagued you when you didn't have money are still there.
Happiness is found within yourself and can only be reached through your own power and effort. If you can be happy with yourself and your life as it exists now, you can be happy with your life no matter how much or how little you have to live with. If you own a computer to read my entry with, congratulations... you are amongst some of the wealthiest people in the world and probably live a fairly comfortable life. Think for a moment on those who live in poverty, in conditions we might consider uncivilized, in a life we would likely never voluntarily choose for ourselves, who still manage to find some happiness in their lives without all of the luxuries we are afforded and then ask yourself what the true nature of happiness really is. Being happy, truly happy and satisfied, cannot be bought, purchased, or ever found in any place that exists outside of you, but is rather a state of peace and harmony that is created within you. Once you have found that place within yourself, no amount of hardship or suffering or loss of material wealth or fall of status can ever steal it from you, because it will always be right where you left it.
Comments (4)
But, but, but . . won't I find happiness from the fifteen fast cars I own and the beachfront property in Hawai`i, California and the French Riviera?
No. I hear you. But I think it's a tough sell when everything you see on television and read in magazines tells you that you absolutely won't be happy until you get one of (fill in the blank). In most of the world's belief systems, it seems that the source of happiness is contentment. Being okay with whacha got.
I suppose we get that perspective when we step outside of the boundaries of the US. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), they say that you should consider yourself rich if you have: 1. Running water and 2. a change of clothes.
Anybody fit that description here on Xanga?
money only brings a temporary satisfaction, but leads to wanting more which leads to unhappiness.
when i reach deep within, i do find that happiness, but when i start to over-analyze with my mind, the happiness is not always there. something is always missing.
I want rye bread, BRIE, fine cigars, and the best Belgian ales. Those things are pretty essential, you know: food, tobacco, and beverages. But I can't afford them . . . because I have no money. Yeah, nuns and other do-gooders provide free food, so I won't starve, but it's not quite to my liking. I can smoke scrap tobacco, but it's half ash and ALL nasty. I guess I could slam a Steel Mill by the railroad tracks, but I'm not that kind of boy. I have tastebuds and olfactory nerves --you know what I mean?
I don't have to own a book to enjoy it, but it's nice to have a few good ones on the shelf (without DD numbers on their spines) to impress the intellekshual chicks. My sleeping bag is nice, but it's a bit small. Do you know how happy I would be if I had an espresso machine of my very own? The excess happiness would probly kill me..
Aesthetics! Yeah, pretty things cost money. I'd like to have a few of my own: a real live orchid, a nice waistcoat or two, and some halfway decent jewelry. Also . . . lasik surgery! Do you know how dangerous it is to ride a bike in the rain wearing glasses? I've almost died out there!
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