What's the secret to happiness?

[gyopsy]

I want to know why some people have so little and are happy while others have so much and are not happy. And the other way around.

Is it something in people's natural brain chemistry? Maybe some people are just born to be depressed no matter how much financial and romantic success they have in life.

Does anyone here at DU have the key to being happy? And also, is being happy most of the time too lofty of a goal? Maybe we're supposed to be sad or mad about half the time.

[EstimatedProphet]

1. Don't expect too much

or want too much, and it will be better. Happiness doesn't come from material things. Unless it's bourbon or tequila.

[Kadie]

2. Happy Yoga by Steve Ross

I bought this book and got about 1/2 way through before being side tracked. He talks about what you said, how some have so little but seem genuinely happy.

http://www.mahayoga.com/

[Van Helsing]

3. I have nothing and I'm miserable.

I want things. I think that'll make me happy. I'm always happy when I do get new things, like a baseball jersey, a Nintendo game, or whatnot.

[Fenris]

5. Do you really believe that?

:shrug:

[Van Helsing]

7. Absolutely.

Otherwise I would've never posted it.

[gyopsy]

6. Me too but it never lasts

The thrill is temporary. :(

[LastKnight]

4. the human mind defines its existance by suffering

or by happiness, i suppose, but its easier to remember pain than joy... so, im not sure, i guess its a combination of factors. i have been provided with just about all i need/want in material wealth. but there is still a hole inside me that i cant seem to fill. some people are actuially wired to be depressed, i suppose, im one of em.

i think alot of it has to do with people being happy with thier choices. personal, professional, ect. how happy they are in thier relationships with family, significant other and whatnot.

alot of the people who are constantly depressed(like i am, to some degree or another) have nothing or something they didnt want in the way of a significant other, something that significant other. it has to be one of the major areas of our lives that determines our overall mood almost 24/7.

ehh whats with all the deep questions tonight?

my 2 pennies

-LK

[SarahB]

8. I honestly don't know

I used to think it was selflessness, then I realized I barely had a self left.
I suppose my best guess is a little balance in life between work, love, family, giving and receiving. Easier said than done though.

[Mattforclark]

9. answers to the best of my knowledge

Is it something in people's natural brain chemistry?

- In short, yes. But brain chemistry is affected by actions that you take.

Maybe some people are just born to be depressed no matter how much financial and romantic success they have in life.

- There are probably some sorts of variances, some of which is porbably genetic.

Does anyone here at DU have the key to being happy?

- Yes, it is called Soma.

And also, is being happy most of the time too lofty of a goal?

- Yes, unless you have an unlimited supply of Soma.

Maybe we're supposed to be sad or mad about half the time.

- Evolutionarily, that is very true. You are not designed to be happy, you are designed to survive. Happiness is one of many tools to get you to do that in the evolutionary environment of your ancestors.

[smirkymonkey]

12. Tell us a little more about Soma, please...

I'm very curious.

[Mattforclark]

14. a "happiness pill"

in Aldous Huxley's book, Brave New World.

Like prozac but more so, sort of. In the future we are likely to get more of that sort of thing.

[gyopsy]

15. That's the happiness of our future

Drugs?!? :puke:

Argh! No thanx.

[Mattforclark]

17. I'm not a huge fan of it either...

I think that it is good to be sad/mad/whatever sometimes. It makes things more interesting IMHO.

But Soma does make you happy, which is what the question asked.

[smirkymonkey]

16. There is actually a drug called "Soma" though,

isn't there? Or did I dream it? I actually thought I saw it advertised somewhere. Hmmm...maybe not. Sounds pretty good, anyway.

[Mattforclark]

18. Yes, there is

But it's not really like soma in the book. It's more of a regular painkiller.

The closest thing we have to soma now is prozac. In the future, science will probably improve on it and similar drugs.

[gyopsy]

13. Yeah, I'm not really sure what soma is.

n/t

[Magical]

10. Here's a few ideas....

Gratitude...be thankful for the simple things in life instead of wanting more.

Service...find a way to be of service to improve the world or someone elses life. Giving and sharing are so much more satisfying than getting.

Grace...practice letting go and accept the way things are as the way they are supposed to be.

Self care...care for your body and nurture your soul.

Creativity...foster your own and support other's creativity.

Learn the meaning of love.

Be totally present with children. They are pure joy.

Don't over think. The mind will never find the answer, since there is no problem.

Bless you.

[ForrestGump]

11. Warm feet

Or, according to the Beatles and Chuck Heston, a warm gun.

[Mr. Blonde]

19. uhh

Finding Jesus?

No, I think part of the reason those with so little can be happy while those with so much are not is because those with little don't define themselves by what they have. If you define yourself by your family and friends it is easier to be happy with that. If you defind yourself by your car, well you won't be happy when your neighbor gets a newer nicer car. You have to go out and get more to appease your image of yourself. If you don't worry about your car, but your family all it takes is to provide for your family to be happy. Just my two cents.

[huellewig]

20. What I do..

I have nothing. Well a couple of computers, a TV, and boxes of random crap. When I move I can do so in the trunk of a car. I don't drive. I haven't had a GF in a few years, I take care of myself. And I would consider myself happy. I'm fucking weird though. Sometimes in the morning I will grab a book and ride down to the river. I read for a while and stare at blades of grass for hours. I also like to look for symmetry in trees. Some nights I go and find a field to sleep in without a sleeping bag. It's that stupid kind of shit that makes me happy.

My point is. Happiness is different for everyone. Good luck finding what makes you happy. It might be found in the strangest place. But it is out there.

I also enjoy mutilating the English language on the internet..LOL

[Mr. Blonde]

21. "What I do.."

"I'm fucking weird though."

Here is how I would like to say I keep myself happy. My other posts was to help others along. But this, this works for me too.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

22. Smiling...

even if it's plastered on rather than inspired by a pleasant moment.

The next time you're down, try smiling. It won't cure your problems, but it'll elevate your mood.