Happiness, Heaven, What is it for YOU?
Have you ever tried to imagine all the details of a perfect life? Most of us haven’t. We just try to answer the most pressing needs. Do we have any detailed concept of HEAVEN? I don’t want to offend any one who is religious, but I have never been able to grasp perfect happiness or eternal bliss. Is the richest man happier than a poorer one? I think it may be true,that after basic needs are met, more wealth does not mean MORE happiness.
We see Kings, and that can give you some idea of life as good as it gets. Luxury and people to bow and serve their every need. I like the concept of “nirvana” and some kind of blissful state of wisdom. We can all aspire to something of that sort. The Christian Bible is very vague about heaven, but it is clear that pain and suffering will be over. The Islamic heaven sounds like a party with all that is denied to men here. I am simplifying greatly here, so please don’t correct me by adding a lot of details. I think the point is correct. A real concept of HAPPINESS does not exist that appeals to each and everyone.
I do think we would all benefit from pondering deeply, DEEPLY, what would make us happy. Comfort is usually our first goal. But we have to get uncomfortable to stay comfortable. We have to drag in a log for the fire and things of this sort. We have to get out in the hot sun to grow a crop, and then there are all the other chores that civilized humans do to make themselves comfortable and happy. The more you get the more you have to try to enjoy. How do you wake up and know how to enjoy yourself the most that day? When I read about rich people, or watch movies or television, they seem to be going from one party to another, and one meal to another, and one amusement to another. They are also portrayed with great character as they lead a life of excess and indulgence, which is in conflict with the teachings of the great philosophers and prophets.
Does the rich woman look at her jewels and dresses and spend her day deciding what to wear? Is a king in his counting house counting out his money, and the queen in the parlor eating bread and honey? Usually power, glory and total comfort is an idea of happiness, but is all that necessary or does it work? I don’t think so.
I do think that. we all need to enjoy life each day as much as is possible and being happy with less may result in greater happiness, Also the human body and mind is designed for work, and we must use both to be happy. Life needs balance in all things. We all need people. Many times what we want is in conflict with what we need. We need wisdom to make the best choices. How WISE are we? How HAPPY are we?
Recommend0 recommendationsPublished in Senior Chatters
Hello Rose, well having pots of money does not bring happiness, that has been proven time and time again, only have to look at the divorce and suicide rate amongst the rich and wealthy, nothing left to achieve, to strive for, where is their next high going to come from……..nope definitely not money…….so now we have religion……..some find peace and happiness through this, but not for all……..friends are good to have if they bring you some happiness, but some do not, and have been know to betray…….now we come to soul mates, is there any such thing ( I like to think so )…….but sure there are many who thought they had found theirs could tell us different ………..family, hopefully they bring you happiness, but along with the family goes upsets and problems at times…….total happiness and perfection does not exist……..if I knew the secret of inner peace and serenity I would bottle it and sell it, then I would make millions, would I be happy then, would I heck………but my idea of perfection would be to have a man who totally understood me, knew what I was about, who I could love and laugh with………discuss and debate with…..who I could look up to, and dare I say this, who would keep me in line, but in a firm and gentle way of course, someone who I totally adored and he me………. so much that we didn’t have the need of anyone else in our lives……….well now Rose you do know I tell fairy stories…….but nearest I can come to perfection……xx.
starlette, Thank you, you added a lot to this subject. I totally agree and you described it very well, “except” a man to keep me in line”, that would throw everything you said before out of whack. Seriously, Starlette, I admire your wisdom, but I think we ladies might be expecting too much from a man. Usually they want food and cuddles from us and not too much debate is more like it.
Happiness happens when there are very few worries. When I have time to daydream. Happiness is letting go of anything that I don’t have control over.
Happiness is looking at the big picture more often. Happiness is appreciating what I have, right now.
david r, that sounds real good, ANDI am glad to see “daydream” maybe that is totally necessary.
Happiness it’s a state of being …we can’t buy it …we can’t find it outside of us …we can’t give or be given happiness .
Because ,happiness is within ourselves . Outside influences may increase or decrease your state of being ( happiness ) nobody can bring it to us and say “here is happiness take it ,it’s yours …have it ! ”
No, it doesn’t work that way ,( in my opinion anyway .)
The secret ? If there’s one it would be ” acceptance “.
We need to accept ourselves as we are …virtues and faults and realize that unless we are “happy ” with who we are ,we will find it hard to be satisfied in life .
Lasting Happiness has nothing to do with money or power .
Yes ,I am a happy person . 🙂
Maybe you have found the wisdom that many seek. I cannot say that I have,
NMOD you have such wisdom …xx
Thank you lani
Norma I couldn’t have said it better.
Thank you 🙂
I think the Stones got it right. “You don’t always get what you want, but sometimes you get what you need”
I don’t think we ever “find” happiness. It cannot be hunted down, bought, bribed or otherwiae aquired, but just occasionally it finds us
Waylander, you are saying happiness is very elusive and it is, but It may be easier to find if we knew more about it. Or do you agree.?
I think the trick is to recognise it when it comes upon you. Stop, stand back, enjoy it while it’s with you.
You made me laugh. I am not sure why, but your perception is very unexpected. I think you may be entirely right.Many always think, happiness is up ahead or around the corner.
I am a simple soul and i dont ask much out of life. Happiness to me means my family and my few friends. I stopped long ago believing the world owed me more than it could live up too…broken promises…broken love…broken every thing really. I have one thing i have always believed in and that is dreams if i lost my will to believe in dreams then i would give up. I dont think i have answered your blog correctly rose? so i hope i have not made a mess of it for you?. I have a knack of reading people’s blogs the wrong way ? Does that make me wise or stupid, or do i see what other folk dont see? Good blog by the way becouse it made me think again about life in general which i tend to put on the back burner when life gets a bit rough! .
NEVER forget the (me ) inside of you Shads……you are as important as everyone else in this universe , there is only one you …..without dreams our lives would be nothing …..xxxxx
Lani, you said that so well and I totally agree. I had made a comment and must not have posted. I was glad to be reminded of the importance of dreaming in our lives. Shadow you seem to under value yourself and your worth. Humility is good, but it has limits.
I am not a humble person Rose? least i dont think i am? I thought you would have spotted that by now?! Oh well back to the drawing board! 😀
Thank you lani. You are right, without dreams there would be no hope either. xxx
Shadow, my first comment is below Scotty’s name. sorry about that.
🙂 🙂
Shadow never apologise for being you……….contrast is needed in all aspects of life……how boring would life be if we all thought the same, had the same opinions, all liked the same manner of dress……….who wants to be a clone of someone else, not many I wouldn’t think…..xx
Thank you star you are so right as usual 😀
Shadow, I dont believe anyone is stupid or wise for that matter. We all have our own unique way to looking and understanding. Thats what makes us all special. I love your opinions, the way you see life, and your humour, the same as all of us here, we are all different, and I find it fascinating that we can all learn from each other through our opinions on life. 😀
So sorry PollyPie i thought this blog had been closed? See? there i go again reading what isn’t there lol. You are right we are all different in our walk in life and thank the Lord for that?. For reason’s i cant explain ( here we go again!) your comment gave me a big lift? Maybe i am one of those people who doubt much to easily and think my inability to put across what i mean as just jib jab to others. You made me realize this is not the case and i have been unfair to the folk who have understood me..yet i couldn’t see it?. I will endeavour to change my thinking, not an easy task for me but i will try!. Thank you PollyPie 😀 x
Hi Rose,
let me come to the rich ones first and hear what Mr. Schwarzenegger once said;
* I can say money makes unhappy. I was as happy when I only had $48mil as now when I have more than $50mil. ***
I’ll come back to your blog later on.
Good blog, rose……………I probably have less right now than ever in my life and am also just about the happiest ever. So much emphasis is put on material things it is no wonder so many people are unhappy. The fewer things I own, the happier I seem to be. I have lost all of my family and nearly all of my close friends, yet I am still happy……….not sure how that works, but it does for me. I am also not the least bit religious so I surely don’t depend on that for happiness.
Shadow,Thank you for your comment and you can’t make a mess of my blog. I just like to write some blogs that get people to thinking and and sharing information. I find your comment “if I lost my will to believe in dreams”…. very interesting and maybe essential to happiness. Maybe you have found a that big part of happiness is hope. I need to work on my “will to dream”. Someone else said, “they need to day dream”.
I need to think on this Rose?…I hope to come back with a comment later. I am in a dream at the moment and it’s not one i wanted or needed. 🙂
“Life is never perfect, but there are perfect moments” ¬ libby farrell
PollyPie, That is worth remembering, so then we have to enjoy the moments and string them together.
Exactly Rose 🙂
PollyPie………………I like that quote…………..so very true.
Thank you scotty 😀
religion l dont need thanks but family and friends l do,what makes me happy,silly little things that one doesnt expect, have to admit, l really dont know for sure what it is nor l suspect does any body else, sad, happy, its all part of the game of life, so long life to all of you my friends j w harden
Johnwharden, you seem to be enjoying the game of life and you seem to have it working. More of us could benefit from seeing life as a game with other players and all that goes with a game.
Happiness is something that comes from within ,I have had times where I have been in the happiest of places with great people but feel sad.Thinking of it now don’t know what it is that changes in oneself to bring on the happy feeling,think one has to be content with your moment.I believe in lots of moments that make the whole life.There is so much that happens in your life to make you the type of person you are now.loads of moments in mine think I am a happy person.
Don.t think it is any secret I practice Taoism, it is not a religion, it is a constant state of mind , where we endeavour to make ourselves better people every day, , being loving , to some who may not deserve to beloved, being kind wherever we can , understanding, facing our daily troubles with calmness, in the security that this day will also pass,sharing and caring within our capacity as humans , giving of ourselves when needed, from the heart . it,s a constant everyday climb to reach the pinnacle of our lives which is happiness within ourselves that we have done all through our years the best we can do , not always perfection , in our limited human capapcity , but endeavouring to do our best …. if this is happiness then I hope i can keep climbing and striving to become a better person …. in my limited human capapcity….
Lani, I think you have added another element to the happiness equation, a system of beliefs , that guide in a positive way.I think a firm sense of the way you should and want to live, that comes from your inner being seems to be essential for contentment or happiness . I am not sure about this, though. I have learned so much from this comment and others.
As I always learn from your Blogs Bloom, they give me time to think, and contemplate…xx
Lani, that is what I want a blog to do. We all do our own thinking and we need to stop and think and we share, and we learn.
Great blog Rose,
Happiness and heaven are one in the same really.
I for one live a simple life relating to both. God is the creator of both. My happiness comes from my identity in him. I have never been one for “religion”. because religion is human’s interpretation of a “god”. The fact that there are hundreds of “religions” is evidence enough that it’s a belief from man and man alone.
I simply accept in child like faith that the creator made me in his image. If I base “which I strive to do” my life accordingly to his instruction happiness is promised. I use to ponder and fret what and where I was in life before God showed me his way through his word. So yes, I have happiness and peace. While I am not destitute I’m not rich either. Riches is peace and security of knowing who and what I am and where I’m headed. It has been proven time and time again money and power cannot buy happiness. I’d like to use this reference if I may; God said his children are saved from hell from the foolishness of preaching his word. I say also happiness is so simple that most humans overlook it. We as humans somehow believe if it’s not complicated or terribly expensive it has no value. Yes, happiness and heaven is one in the same.
Very interesting and I like the way you think. I guess I was not too far off the mark off the mark comparing heaven and happiness. Men wrote the Bible, how inspired or what their motives were I am sure had a lot to do with the Bible and the fact that women are treated poorly.
Interesting questions….interesting answers! I’m Catholic……not ‘fire and brimstone’ but I try to follow the teachings of Jesus, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’. I also believe that there are many different paths,all leading to ‘God’ or the Supreme Being, whatever,so we have to respect the beliefs of others,except of course for the extremists who are unfortunately with us.
Heaven? I believe death is not the end,don’t know what happens then, but our souls,spirits,will move on.
Happiness? Being at peace with yourself,enjoying the little things in life,enjoy the things you do,never hurt anyone.And a long time ago I decided to be aware of the times in life when I was really happy, so that I try to keep the memories alive. Happiness has little to do with money,it helps if you have enough……but it’s a state of mind. Have a happy day, everyone! Xx
You have hit the spot exactly Maize..You words are my words. I just wish i could put it like you have. 🙂 x
Maize, thank you for your comment. Belonging to a community of believers is part of happiness. I like the idea of keeping the happiest moments alive. I guess a lot of people do that but don’t realize it.
How do you keep the happiest moments alive Rose ? I’m just wondering if that is possible at all ?
nmod, maize said she does, in the above comment. I think for me and others it would be celebrating anniversaries, keeping trophies and tokens of honor and recognition. keeping pictures and sharing them. I think that is what it would be.Holding memories and letting go of others, is a way to hold on to good memories. What do you think of this?
Rose.
I tend to hold onto stuff that reminds me of things I’ve done and places I’ve visited . I also tried to keep things my children made when they were little .
I was never organized enough as to keep a couple of pieces of each and store them properly .
I guess photos would be a good trigger of certain moments .
To be honest with you , I never knew ,still don’t know why I tend to hold on to things .
I think that happiness and memories are two different things. Although they might be connected in some way .
I feel happiness is in me ,it’s there all the time ,even when I’m sad …if I’m suffering or grieving and a dark cloud takes over me and pushes happiness to one side . I know it never leaves me , it might have been pushed to the back momentarily ,but eventually it comes back to the surface .
I know this may sound weird or even childish ,but that’s the way I think about my feelings and emotions ( I know some people think feelings and emotions are the same thing , but for me there’s a slight difference )
Memories on the other hand are the storage and recollection of experiences obtained from the outside world .
Now some token we’ve kept may trigger the memories of some happy or sad moments .
If the memories are of happy times ,it will put a smile on our faces . But , how long does it last ? Could we call it happiness?
I’m sorry Rose if I confuse you with my way of thinking . You may wish you never asked ! Lol
I think … ( and this is my opinion only , ) I think it’s not possible to hold onto happiness . I think that as a feeling happiness fluctuates according to outside influences . I also think that it has the ability to renew itself constantly .
Now , I hope you don’t think I should go and jump off a cliff !
nmod. I have to think about all that you have said, but the line is easy to answer. I am HAPPY when people want to share their thoughts with me.
One thought that I do like is that happiness is always there, just pushed aside.
Thank you for your comments and stay far away from cliffs, don’t even think about it, because I never would. I love all your comments.
I don’t think happiness can come to us in monetary value, possessions or words, written or spoken.
A memory, a thought, a feeling enters the mind, which sends a message to the brain. We all know the brain controls every body movement through the central nervous system. Happiness can cause our heart to race, stomach muscles contract, breathing to be deep etc. which affects our whole body including our skin.
In turn, these physical changes are sent back to the brain through our nervous system, which informs our mind of how we feel.
All this can be triggered by a beautiful scene, a memory, or a thought. It can come from many sources.
But when it does come, we should hold on tight and keep it for as long as we can.
I think you are explaining how happiness affects our emotions .
Happiness is an emotion. It is a long lasting enduring enjoyment of life, it is being in love with living.
I think happiness is a feeling and it’s long lasting as you said an emotion is short lived ,and is the way we show our feelings . 🙂
Happiness is fleeting, we experience it at different levels as we do sadness, to me the feeling of contentment is all, the person who finds that is a very lucky one indeed……..xx