Comments on: Happy: To Be or TBD?

By: The Secret to Happiness | Symphony of Love’s Blog

The Secret to Happiness | Symphony of Love’s Blog — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 03:30:36 +0000

[...] read an interesting article recently by Belinda and she mentioned, “Have you ever looked up quotes on happiness by great thinkers? If not, I [...]

By: How Children and Grownups Play — the halfway point

How Children and Grownups Play — the halfway point — Wed, 26 May 2010 09:48:21 +0000

[...] the way? Ha! Not a chance unless we’re on vacation (or have just read an article linking happiness and slowing [...]

By: Jenny

Jenny — Sat, 15 May 2010 15:24:05 +0000

Hello all!
I would suggest reading the book Happy For No Reason by Marci Shimoff. I found this book made a real difference in my life.
As BK said, I think that happiness comes from within. It is something we can cultivate, but not chase. It can be separate from circumstance. You can be happy in the moment without anything in particular to “make” you happy.
Great post as always! Lots to think about.

By: Shawna

Shawna — Fri, 14 May 2010 01:11:26 +0000

I’d rather revel in it too. Definitions are just too rigid Love this post and have great admiration for the poet in you!

By: Eva @ EvaEvolving

Eva @ EvaEvolving — Thu, 13 May 2010 21:23:11 +0000

Ah, you’ve captured my thoughts and sentiments so well here, Belinda! I too have laughed as I read “famous” quotes about happiness that offer completely opposite views on the matter.

I agree with so much of what you say. Especially this: “When it comes to happiness, my hunch tells me it’s better to be it than to deconstruct it.” Yes! I can’t define happiness, but I know it when I see it!

By: Jen

Jen — Thu, 13 May 2010 16:58:09 +0000

There is so much HERE. The quotes (they are a bit depressing), your sweet poem, and the fact that it’s better to BE happy then to deconstruct it. Yes. To recognize when we are happy rather than trying to attain something that we think will make us happy. That is powerful. So great to read your words!

By: BK

BK — Thu, 13 May 2010 11:13:11 +0000

Belinda, what a fun poem to read. It sort of defines what happiness is not and yet it also defines what happiness is. Happiness is subjective and different people ‘define’ it differently. There is no one way which everyone can agree on. Very often when one looks for happiness, chances are the person will be disappointed. Do not seek without what one can find within. Happiness can be found within oneself and is not dependent on others and situations. Just take a look around us: even the a poor person on the street can be happiness comparing to some rich persons. Thus we knew that happiness is not about how much money we have.

Shouldn’t happiness be about what make us tick, whether it is the people we loved or the things we enjoy doing, what are the priorities in one’s life, the purpose of one’s life? I believe that when we are able to sort all these out, then happiness comes naturally. And perhaps that was what Gandhi meant, that everything starts from self. Gandhi’s definition may be too rigid and too ideal, yet when we move along that line and find a balance, happiness is achievable.

By: Tisha

Tisha — Thu, 13 May 2010 06:06:34 +0000

Hey Belinda,
I love how you question things – always poised on the edge of each choice, exploring all sides in depth, almost willing the deeper meaning to show itself to you. As far as happiness goes, I agree that it’s best not to analyze it too much, just bathe in its glory for as long as you can whenever it shows up!
And your poem is lovely

By: Wilma Ham

Wilma Ham — Thu, 13 May 2010 04:23:27 +0000

Defining happiness for me is like pulling a yummy pie apart to see what is in it instead of eating it. It is like defining if rain is good or bad.
I will never know so I rather experience life and decide on the spot. xox Wilma

By: Patty - Why Not Start Now?

Patty - Why Not Start Now? — Thu, 13 May 2010 03:58:53 +0000

Beautifully written, Belinda. A joy to read. I know I’m a bit of the odd one out here, but I’ve always liked that Camus quote. Got a thing for those existentialists, I guess. But mostly it’s because he’s telling us not to go *searching* or *looking* for happiness. And those words, along with a lot of others like them – seeking, pursuing, questing, hunting, striving for, aspiring to – do get attached to happiness. Well, yeah, it’s part of our constitution. But I think the framers might have got it wrong. Happiness seems much too slippery for that. More often than not it eludes us when we try to chase it down. Because happiness just is. It’s there in every single moment, at least it potential. In fact, I think that’s what you’re saying in your post. And for me, the word happiness doesn’t even quite fit the bill. As you know, meaning is the experience that rings my bells. At the end of the day, I’d much rather ask, “Was it meaningful?” than “Was I happy?”