Is happiness real?

[labelwench]

What is happiness? I believe it's real, like other qualia. There may be different types of happiness. For example perhaps there may be a material kind of happiness and a spiritual kind of happiness. The first kind of happiness can only be reached when you've satisfied certain material needs (like the need for food, water, sex, shelter, ...). The second kind of happiness can only be reached when you're in touch with God (or a similar spiritual 'thing'). Why would some people falsely believe that they're happy when they're not? Does it make them slightly happier to believe it?

I believe happiness is something you can achieve. If you can indirectly create happiness, can't you provoke it?

Why is it impossible to experience happiness for longer than a couple of hours? I can imagine it's hard to hold on to it, but impossible ...?

The actual state of 'happiness' has been studied by science and appears to be a state of equilibrium achieved by the biological processes within our body, a state which most attempt to achieve by external means and which others are aware can also be achieved by internal 'state of mind' pathways.

As to the length of time that the 'state of happiness' is maintainable, I would suggest that as we make the journey, we learn which methods of 'input' allow us to access and lengthen the duration of our 'happy hits' as one site describes them.

From the food we eat (or refrain from) to the company we keep (in person or by virtual means), to our chosen means of paying our maintenance (employment can fulfill more than monetary goals) to the goals we set for ourselves, our state of equilibrium is constantly under challenge.

Many things we can change and many more we have no control over.

Happiness may be arrived at by the means we choose in recognizing, accepting and influencing those factors which otherwise hold sway over us.

The 'state of happiness', while measurable in the physical sense, is ultimately about your own state of mind (how one defines spirituality?), over which YOU are the ultimate determinate, physical tools and resources as mentioned included.

Welcome to the forum, and an interesting first post.

[austintorn@aol.com]

Why men are so happy…


Men Are Just Happier People—
What do you expect from such simple creatures?

Your last name stays put. The garage is all yours.

Wedding plans take care of themselves.
Chocolate is just another snack.
You can be President.
You can never be pregnant.
You can wear a white T-shirt to a water park.
You can wear NO shirt to a water park.

Car mechanics tell you the truth.

You never have to drive to another gas station restroom because this one is just too icky.

You don't have to stop and think of which way to turn a nut on a bolt.

Same work, more pay.
Wrinkles add character.
Wedding dress $5000. Tux rental-$100.
People never stare at your chest when you're talking to them.
New shoes don't cut, blister, or mangle your feet.
One mood all the time.
Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat.
A five-day vacation requires only one suitcase.
You can open all your own jars.
You get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness.
If someone forgets to invite you, he or she can still be your friend.
Your underwear is $8.95 for a three-pack.
Three pairs of shoes are more than enough..
You almost never have strap problems in public.
You are unable to see wrinkles in your clothes.
Everything on your face stays it's original color.
The same hairstyle lasts for years, maybe decades.
You only have to shave your face and neck.
You can play with toys all your life.
One wallet and one pair of shoes -- one color for all seasons.
You can wear shorts no matter how your legs look.
You can 'do' your nails with a pocket knife.
You have freedom of choice concerning growing a mustache.

No wonder men are happier.

[labelwench]

Why men are so happy…


Men Are Just Happier People—
What do you expect from such simple creatures?

Your last name stays put. The garage is all yours.

Wedding plans take care of themselves.
Chocolate is just another snack.
You can be President.
You can never be pregnant.
You can wear a white T-shirt to a water park.
You can wear NO shirt to a water park.

Car mechanics tell you the truth.

You never have to drive to another gas station restroom because this one is just too icky.

You don't have to stop and think of which way to turn a nut on a bolt.

Same work, more pay.
Wrinkles add character.
Wedding dress $5000. Tux rental-$100.
People never stare at your chest when you're talking to them.
New shoes don't cut, blister, or mangle your feet.
One mood all the time.
Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat.
A five-day vacation requires only one suitcase.
You can open all your own jars.
You get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness.
If someone forgets to invite you, he or she can still be your friend.
Your underwear is $8.95 for a three-pack.
Three pairs of shoes are more than enough..
You almost never have strap problems in public.
You are unable to see wrinkles in your clothes.
Everything on your face stays it's original color.
The same hairstyle lasts for years, maybe decades.
You only have to shave your face and neck.
You can play with toys all your life.
One wallet and one pair of shoes -- one color for all seasons.
You can wear shorts no matter how your legs look.
You can 'do' your nails with a pocket knife.
You have freedom of choice concerning growing a mustache.

No wonder men are happier.

Everything above is a verifiable fact, with the possible exception of the last sentence.

I have come to the sudden realization that the only reason for a woman to be unhappy would be in attempting to please a man.

The mere fact that I am a challenging woman to please seems adequate reason for the best of the species to engage me in converse or employ.

Works for me.

[austintorn@aol.com]

We must admit, though, that women have many more charms, although it is still mostly the men who get to appreciate them.

There's also the joke that the only thing a single woman wanted was a husband, but after she got one then she wanted everything.

[Mr. Ignorant]

You can never be pregnant.

This may be a beautiful experience. Perhaps men are missing out on something. Love can be a burden, but it's also the source of a lot of happiness. The same may be true for pregnancy.

Simplicity can be nice. However apathy is also fairly simple and nobody would call that good.

[labelwench]

This may be a beautiful experience. Perhaps men are missing out on something. Love can be a burden, but it's also the source of a lot of happiness. The same may be true for pregnancy.

Simplicity can be nice. However apathy is also fairly simple and nobody would call that good.

Wonderfully stated, MI.

[austintorn@aol.com]

— Catching Butterflies —

Some may ask of Life: “How does one find love?”
Life says, “Be still! Don’t look far and above;
Stop—let love’s butterfly alight on you,
For that’s the touch that romance is made of.”