What is happiness?

[Tourmaline]

Just as the title asks.

What is happiness?

I ask, inspired by the thread about never meeting a happy millionaire, as in my experience this fundamental question is typically met with many different answers.

I'm interested to see not only your answers, but to see if there is a common theme among the entrepreneurs of the Fastlane Forum.

Bonus questions:
How is it achieved?
Why do so many people have trouble attaining and/or sustaining it?
Why do depressed people that seemingly have their needs met and are successful and rich in both business and family exist?

 

Dislike ads? Become a Fastlane member: Subscribe today and surround yourself with winners and millionaire mentors, not those broke friends who only want to drink beer and play video games. :-)

[broswoodwork]

Just as the title asks.

What is happiness?

I ask, inspired by the thread about never meeting a happy millionaire, as in my experience this fundamental question is typically met with many different answers.

I'm interested to see not only your answers, but to see if there is a common theme among the entrepreneurs of the Fastlane Forum.

Bonus questions:
How is it achieved?
Why do so many people have trouble attaining and/or sustaining it?
Why do depressed people that seemingly have their needs met and are successful and rich in both business and family exist?

Happiness is a moving target. Don't aim for where it is; aim for where it's going to be, and have fun while you're doing it.

 

[Tourmaline]

How does it move? Can you define the target? @broswoodwork

What happens if you miss?

 

[broswoodwork]

How does it move? Can you define the target? @broswoodwork

What happens if you miss?

Happiness is progressing towards the good and virtuous internally and externally. It's an ideal end state theoretically, but since none of us are perfect, and never will be, we're perpetually chasing after more perfect forms of happy; a more virtuous self and better collective existence. Everything you do should bring you a step closer to ideal happy.

I don't know... think I breathed in too many paint fumes today at the shop.

 

[Rawseed]

Fulfillment is using your talents, skills, expertise, and knowledge to positively help and improve the lives of others.

It's achieved by:

1. Finding a way to provide value
2. Becoming a master at providing value in that way
3. Providing that value to as many people as possible
4. Capturing some resources in exchange for providing that massive value
5. Using those resources to free up your time
6. Using that added time to provide even more value

People have a hard time achieving fulfillment because they think it's about what they have, get, or take. When it's really about what they give.

People are often unhappy because they want what others have. And because they think happiness is a destination or an event. When it's really a journey or a process.

 

[ChrisV]

MINDSET - Neurochemistry 101 - Meet your Happy Chemicals

This video series is a great introduction on basic neurochemistry. The topic comes up so much that I figured it deserved it’s own thread. These videos are from an old friend I don’t speak to anymore, Dr. Loretta Breuning, PhD. She wrote a number of cool book on the subject too. View...

www.thefastlaneforum.com

 

Dislike ads? Become a Fastlane member: Subscribe today and surround yourself with winners and millionaire mentors, not those broke friends who only want to drink beer and play video games. :-)

[DeletedUser0287]

Happiness is waking up everyday and none of your actions are forced against your will.

Example of this unhappiness would be a guy that bought an expensive car and now is forced to work at a crappy job he hates.

 

[Ismail941]

Fulfillment in every area of life = Happiness

 

[ChrisV]

 

[100ToOne]

Try reading: The Alchemy of Happiness - Al-Ghazali

Quote:

"In this chapter we have attempted, in some degree, to expound the greatness of man's soul. He who neglects it and suffers its capacities to rust or to degenerate must necessarily be the loser in this world and the next. The true greatness of man lies in his capacity for eternal progress, otherwise in this temporal sphere he is the weakest of all things, being subject to hunger, thirst, heat, cold, and sorrow. Those things he takes most delight in are often the most injurious to him, and those things which benefit him are not to be obtained without toil and trouble. As to his intellect, a slight disarrangement of matter in his brain is sufficient to destroy or madden him; as to his power, the sting of a wasp is sufficient to rob him of ease and sleep; as to his temper, he is upset by the loss of a sixpence; as to his beauty, he is little more than nauseous matter covered with a fair skin. Without frequent washing he becomes utterly repulsive and disgraceful.

In truth, man in this world is extremely weak and contemptible; it is only in the next that he will be of value, if by means of the "alchemy of happiness" he rises from the rank of beasts to that of angels. Otherwise his condition will be worse than the brutes, which perish and turn to dust. It is necessary for him, at the same time that he is conscious of his superiority as the climax of created things, to learn to know also his helplessness, as that too is one of the keys to the knowledge of God. "

 

[Tourmaline]

Thanks for the replies so far!

@broswoodwork says Happiness is in the pursuit of the ideal end state of being as good and virtuous as possible both internally and externally.

@Rawseed says Happiness is created by the journey or process towards fulfillment through helping others.

@ChrisV says Happiness is a set of chemicals to motivate you for survival needs, and the causes of it can be understood through Maslow's Hierarchy.

@MoreValue says Happiness is freedom from having to do things against your will.

@Ismails says Happiness comes from fulfillment in every aspect of life.

@Yzn says Happiness comes from the eternal pursuit of progress in this life towards a greater state.

Curiously have not yet seen anyone talk about pleasure, joy, or peace. I think a pattern from this forum is already emerging!

I think the biggest conflict in understanding happiness comes from the word being used to describe a set of emotions and an evaluation of one's life.

 

Dislike ads? Become a Fastlane member: Subscribe today and surround yourself with winners and millionaire mentors, not those broke friends who only want to drink beer and play video games. :-)

[broswoodwork]

Thanks for the replies so far!

@broswoodwork says Happiness is in the pursuit of the ideal end state of being as good and virtuous as possible both internally and externally.

@Rawseed says Happiness is created by the journey or process towards fulfillment through helping others.

@ChrisV says Happiness is a set of chemicals to motivate you for survival needs, and the causes of it can be understood through Maslow's Hierarchy.

@MoreValue says Happiness is freedom from having to do things against your will.

@Ismails says Happiness comes from fulfillment in every aspect of life.

@Yzn says Happiness comes from the eternal pursuit of progress in this life towards a greater state.

Curiously have not yet seen anyone talk about pleasure, joy, or peace. I think a pattern from this forum is already emerging!

I think the biggest conflict in understanding happiness comes from the word being used to describe a set of emotions and an evaluation of one's life.

We're all saying the same thing different ways, I think.

Edit: mine's lifted directly from the Nicomachean Ethics btw... don't want to get sued by Aristotle's estate.

 

[Tourmaline]

The pursuit of the ideal state of man will produce fulfillment. Although freedom is its own aspect. Maslow's also describes stages of fulfillment.

A crucial aspect imo is appreciation for life. If someone hates life, hates having being born, it will likely be impossible for them to be happy or feel fulfilled either.

 

[Ismail941]

We're all saying the same thing different ways, I think.

Edit: mine's lifted directly from the Nicomachean Ethics btw... don't want to get sued by Aristotle's estate.

Bingo you got it man

Kinda like this: Same Song, Different Lyrics

 

[SEBASTlAN]

freedom

 

[Tourmaline]

Here's a question then, What determines what is required for fulfilment?

Is that not a construct of the mind? Or do you think fulfilment is created by something else?

 

Dislike ads? Become a Fastlane member: Subscribe today and surround yourself with winners and millionaire mentors, not those broke friends who only want to drink beer and play video games. :-)

[ecommercewolf]

Taken from Andy Frisella ... "The pursuit of the fulfillment of one's true potential "

 

[Tourmaline]

Taken from Andy Frisella ... "The pursuit of the fulfillment of one's true potential "

How does one know or define their true potential?

 

[ecommercewolf]

How does one know or define their true potential?

It's a moving target as you develop skills and acquire life experience.

 

[Tourmaline]

Hmm so then one is forever pursuing fulfilment as what is to be fulfilled is forever changing!

Why does this remind me of The Declaration of Independence's "Pursuit of Happiness"?

 

[GoodluckChuck]

The absence of sadness.

Achieved by focusing on what you have to be grateful for.

 

Dislike ads? Become a Fastlane member: Subscribe today and surround yourself with winners and millionaire mentors, not those broke friends who only want to drink beer and play video games. :-)

[balilife]

Happiness is spending time and caring for the ones I love.....

 

[SuperBlast]

"Happiness is discipline"

 

[Primeperiwinkle]

The absence of sadness.

Achieved by focusing on what you have to be grateful for.

This. But practiced 10,000x in 10,000 ways.

 

[GoodluckChuck]

This. But practiced 10,000x in 10,000 ways.

Now that I am at the computer I'll elaborate on my short answer.

I watched a Gary Vee video the other day where he talks about how he keeps a grounded perspective by imagining that a loved one was killed in a car accident.

It sounds kind of weird but it works.

I've been doing this for the last few weeks. When I'm having a moment where I'm feeling down or worrying about something stupid, I imagine finding out that something bad happened to someone I love.

Since I started doing this I've spent a significant amount of time feeling grateful that everyone I love, including myself, is alive and well. It seeps into my behavior and makes me a much happier and nicer person to be around.

Even when the day to day grind gets tough, just being free to pursue a path I choose is cause for celebration.

It's hard not to be happy with thoughts like this.

 

[Primeperiwinkle]

Now that I am at the computer I'll elaborate on my short answer.

I watched a Gary Vee video the other day where he talks about how he keeps a grounded perspective by imagining that a loved one was killed in a car accident.

It sounds kind of weird but it works.

I've been doing this for the last few weeks. When I'm having a moment where I'm feeling down or worrying about something stupid, I imagine finding out that something bad happened to someone I love.

Since I started doing this I've spent a significant amount of time feeling grateful that everyone I love, including myself, is alive and well. It seeps into my behavior and makes me a much happier and nicer person to be around.

Even when the day to day grind gets tough, just being free to pursue a path I choose is cause for celebration.

It's hard not to be happy with thoughts like this.

I came across the concept a different way but it changed my life. Over and over again I’ve had to kinda come to grips with crap happening and then say “thank you” because.. I can be grateful for the problems I face. They’ve made me who I am. The weirdly metaphysical magical thing about it (and I use magic like Aslan talks about in The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe) is that IMMEDIATELY after I decide to be grateful I feel peace. Now I say thank you for things yet to be.. and I have much more joy than I have ever had before. It’s a simple concept but extremely powerful when utilized all day about every interaction, every traffic situation, every moment.

I’m glad you put it in the thread.

 

Dislike ads? Become a Fastlane member: Subscribe today and surround yourself with winners and millionaire mentors, not those broke friends who only want to drink beer and play video games. :-)

[Entre Eyes]

I think babies are born happy then society conditions them that it will take more effort to achieve it.

Just a few happy moments....

Smooth jazz beautiful sunset.

You Got Payment Notifications while sleeping.

Testimonials for something you created to help others.

Mixing ice creams.

Seeing Our Personal Transformations we worked hard for. Mind. Body.

 

[Entre Eyes]

Now that I am at the computer I'll elaborate on my short answer.

I watched a Gary Vee video the other day where he talks about how he keeps a grounded perspective by imagining that a loved one was killed in a car accident.

It sounds kind of weird but it works.

I've been doing this for the last few weeks. When I'm having a moment where I'm feeling down or worrying about something stupid, I imagine finding out that something bad happened to someone I love.

Since I started doing this I've spent a significant amount of time feeling grateful that everyone I love, including myself, is alive and well. It seeps into my behavior and makes me a much happier and nicer person to be around.

Even when the day to day grind gets tough, just being free to pursue a path I choose is cause for celebration.

It's hard not to be happy with thoughts like this.

EXCELLENT POINT/TACTIC.

I have this thing where I am thankful for the problems I do not have. But I add to that with the thought that our lives, our destiny's changed with a simple decision to go left or right at any given moment.

Something happened....some one you met or did not meet. Then an entire journey takes place and maybe something bad happens and you say to yourself...wow if only I had not even gone that way that day I would still have my legs! Well guess what....what if you got your wish....you would be exactly who and where you are now. Celebrate!

haha hope that makes sense.

 

[njord]

The most important thing iv learnt about happiness is to realize you dont NEED anything to be happy!

As mentioned before babys when they are born are happy, they dont have any worries or have any shit to worry about, it all gets taken care of for them.

The problem is everyone gets told (or tells themselves) that you have all these things or conditions before they can be happy but this is not true.

"i wont be happy till i get that epic car"
"i wont be happy till i earn X amount of money"
"i wont be happy till i have a girlfriend/boyfriend"

ect.


Just take a moment to realize where you are now and realize the mirracle that we are all alive at this moment.

 

[mikemiller]

Just as the title asks.

What is happiness?

I ask, inspired by the thread about never meeting a happy millionaire, as in my experience this fundamental question is typically met with many different answers.

I'm interested to see not only your answers, but to see if there is a common theme among the entrepreneurs of the Fastlane Forum.

Bonus questions:
How is it achieved?
Why do so many people have trouble attaining and/or sustaining it?
Why do depressed people that seemingly have their needs met and are successful and rich in both business and family exist?

Being happy with whatever you have is genuine happiness.