The Source
All humans seek happiness in some way or another. There are many theories about how to get it and how to keep it, but today we are looking at from whence it comes. My ideas about its origin are pretty much in line with Buddhist thought, and so not exactly unique or exciting. Instead, I am interested in what each of you think.
What is the source of true and lasting happiness? To make this interesting, let's limit ourselves to about 40 words or so. I don't care if you are Bahá’í, Christian, `Jewish, Muslim, Pagan, Satanist, Atheist, Agnostic, or Pastafarian, I'd like to hear your thoughts on this.
To those of you who are shy, don't be intimidated about posting a comment. The Flock is a very forgiving and accepting bunch, regardless of how ignorant, stupid, or irritating your comments might be. Just look at how long we've put up with comments from The Hopeless Romantic, Mark, and Levi (just kidding - you guys are my favorite commentors! Ok, often you're my only commentors, and I appreciate that...). We will welcome all comments with compassion, so feel free to speak your minds!
Go in Peace.
Sunday Sermon
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16 comments:
For me, happiness would consist of simply be totally accepted for who I am, not for what anyone would have me be.
Happiness is ceasing to be.
the source of hap-penis is a vibrator in which one never has to change the batteries.
This is a good start - let us see what Monday brings...
LOVE WITHOUT CONDITIONS
Happiness is a series of chemical reactions in the brain.
I have always thought that true happiness depends on the individual, obviously. However, people measure their happiness based on all kinds of things: material posessions, financial wealth, quality of drugs in posession, closeness of family, numbers of friends, quality of friends, self-worth, etc. I think this topic relates to a quote that is essentially my personal mantra, "What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared with what lies within us." -- Ralph Waldo Emerson
I would argue that one cannot find "true happiness" without first being happy with one's self. So many times, I see people dissatisfied with their lives, but more often than not, they are dissatisfied with themselves. Everything starts at the center. Just my two cents.
I think, happiness most definently has to come from within yourself. Many people try to lay claim on happiness outside of themselves in having "stuff and things", relationships, and material possesions. I also believe to be truly happy one has to first be ok with themselves, again going back to the whole its starts with in us. That and well waffles create true happiness as well, and big mother-f*cking swords to cut cakes with.
Tessa: That was beautiful! Truly, it brought a tear to my eye.
being well adjusted with the current state of the universe.
I think of two things at the immediate moment. The first is the concept you covered in your May 7th sermon--the idea of finding peace/contentment/spiritual growth through the everyday and the mundane.
The second is that contained in the toast I offer whenever I am lucky enough to share a meal with those I love--"good friends, good food, good conversation". I've always thought a lifetime full of those things would bring me happiness.
So far, we have... acceptance, cessation, perpetual vibrations, unconditional love, biochemistry, self acceptance, personal adjustment, and the mundane. I've got a couple posts waiting to go up, but I'm going to let this sit for another day. Let's try to drag the rest of the Flock in on this one.
AoxomoxoA.
I just barfed up a bile-soaked post of happiness pie on my silly blog, oh Vainglorious Pope of Infinite Gloom, just for you and your silly face.
In the words of the late Charles Shultz - "Happiness is anyone and anything at all that's loved by you."
Thanks for your thoughts - these are all wonderful! Make sure to go to Levi's blog to see his ramble on this topic - great stuff (you can find Levi's link on the right sidebar under "The Redeemed").
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