|
Sounds like common sense to me, lol Happiness = Wanting nothng A lot of research (from Diener and Larsen) has shown that poor people are unhappy, but very rich people are not much happier. I suspect if you have sufficient resources, happiness is the default. After that greed, ego, etc. can take over and you become unhappy because "enough" becomes perpetually just a little more. Skwirl, Does wanting nothing = contentment? Personally, I have found the greatest happiness is found primarily in 3 things 1) being authentically grateful for what I have, the talents and skills I possess, and for ALL those in my life 2) Speaking honestly about everything to everyone so one never builds up a myth about themselves that cannot be maintained. 3) Principle-centered living ( for me it is Christianity, but I do not think happiness is exclusive to Christians) I want there to be peace in the world, but my happiness is built upon what I do in my neighborhood, church, and greater community to instill to further that end. To have yourself mired in the cesspool of world conditi... 2) Speaking honestly about everything to everyone so one never builds up a myth about themselves that cannot be maintained.Or, to thine own self be true ( and make no apologies for it) Skwirl, Does wanting nothing = contentment?...Yes If you desire nothing you are content The problem is, To desire nothing means you are dead. Everyone desires something. I try to desire little and I tend not to desire things I know I cannot have I think I agree with you. I would just probably say it differently. It is easier to be content when one realizes how blessed they are and authentically grateful for those blessings. However, there is a point at which you must maintain a level of motivation and desire to ensure you can maintain your contentment. Also, the path one chooses to achieve their "contentment" , via vocation, contributes to ones gratitude and ultimately to their contentment. I guess my point is that contentment has a starting point. The point can be different for each individual, but it certainly does not start with wanting nothing. I just do not see contentment as the absence of want. I am content with the air I breath, but I still want it. I want clean air but I don't desire it. I want more money but I don't desire it I desire love but I am content that I am loved. I used to be a very desire driven person but I fell into hardship and drudgery. I beat myself and others up during my downward spiral. I tried and tried and barely made a dent in achieving my desires. I was depressed much of the time and radical the rest. During a very deep depression I took assessment of my life and realized its not really that bad to me. I figured out that trying to live in other peoples standards was impossible. I became content with what I am and the things I have. I stopped trying to live up to a world of Jones and decided to live BELOW my me... |
View the Top Clips from April 29, 2008
Embed This Clip In Your Site...
|
|
|
|
