We have had 3 amazing classes and 3 days of hard work since I last blogged. We have discussed works by Plato and Aristotle and planted 65 trees in 3 orchards on campus. My favorite class so far was yesterday when we discussed happiness. Our text was books one and two from the Nicomachean(Nik-oh-mahk-ee-an) Ethics by Aristotle, who describes happiness as a state of mind where nothing else is desired. He also says that happiness can only be found when ALL of your needs and MOST of your wants have been met, and when you have had good fortune. I argued against this point very strongly, saying that happiness is a CHOICE! In the words of a song from Scripture Scouts, "Happiness is a not a place, where you can just arrive, it's how you choose to travel down the road while you're alive." I said that I could choose to be happy even if my wants are not met, or even if terrible things are happening around or to me. So then they started "taking" things away from me, then asking if I would still be happy. My Mockingjay necklace and my boyfriend were the first things to go. I was once happy without those things and I could happy without them again. To quote Albus Dumbledore, "Happiness can be found even in the darkness of times if one only remembers to turn on the light."
Disclaimer: Choosing to be happy is NOT EASY, but it is possible. There is the exception of people who have chemical imbalances that cause things like depression, that makes it extra difficult to be happy. Sometimes you can't make yourself be happy when you have those types of mental health issues, but even those people ae happy at least on occasion. Please do not go up to someone with depression or who has just lost someone they love and tell them to, "Just be happy!" This will not help, they have to decide to be happy on their own.
So what do you think? Is happiness an end or a choice? Let me know in the comments below. :)
Munchkin, I agree with you. Happiness is a choice. It is easier for some to make than others. Having sufficient food, clothing and shelter can also make it easier. However, those things cannot make you happy. Your appreciation for them can. To take that a little further, gratitude is connected to happiness.
ReplyDeleteMaslow also argued that food, clothing and shelter are required for self-actualization. But then people like Viktor Frankl came along describing how they were able to find peace as prisoners in concentration camps.
As a follow up to your Harry Potter reference, we learned that in order to cast a patronus charm you have to be able to hold onto a happy memory. The happiest memories I have are when I have allowed the Spirit to teach mee. Thus, for mee connecting light and happiness.
Yes, happiness is a choice! I have said many times that even in a bad marriage, I was never "not happy" because I choose to be happy. Faith and hope and my knowledge of the gospel is what helped me to be happy.
ReplyDeleteYes, happiness is a choice! I have said many times that even in a bad marriage, I was never "not happy" because I choose to be happy. Faith and hope and my knowledge of the gospel is what helped me to be happy.
ReplyDeleteHappiness is a fleeting thing, it is more important to do those things that bring joy.
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