Ingredients in the Search for Happiness

http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2009/07/27/5-key-ingredients-in-the-search-for-happiness/

by wallflower • 17 years ago

24 15 17 years ago

The more things you get the less happy you are, they are like a burden you carry with you, or rather stay home as carrying them would be too heavy. When I was in college I got my first laptop. Before I could leave my room door and windows open all day, after that I had to watch things closely. Instead of socializing I "was online".

"Every thing you own, owns you" to cite Tyler Durden.

ekanes• 17 years ago

I find this truth most oppressive when traveling. Leaving the laptop at home relieves the heaviness of worry that someone will steal it, and it's easier to leave work behind if you're so inclined. You're free.

yalurker• 17 years ago

"The things you own, end up owning you" is the actual quote. I agree that there is a lot of truth to the notion. The more you own, the less mobile you are.

maneesh• 17 years ago

That's why this year, my 13 month journey in the eastern hemisphere is being done with a single carry on bag. Nothing owned, nothing owning me :)

mattmichielsen• 17 years ago

I thought there were only 4 ingredients to happiness: Water, barley, hops, and yeast.

naish• 17 years ago

Two if you are a whisky aficionado: Water and malted barley.

liquidben• 17 years ago

Hey, don't underestimate the importance of the cask/barrel!

shpxnvz• 17 years ago

Unless you want to drink sweet sludge, you better make sure there is some yeast involved as well. ;-)

mburney3• 17 years ago

Unless you are using it toward creating some kind of masterpiece work of art, introspection is highly overrated. I used to spend a lot of my time introspecting and while it is good once in awhile, too much of it will just make you stuck in your head and unable to enjoy yourself in social situations. I find meditation to be a lot more effective.

Radix2• 17 years ago

What is the difference?

I disagree, I don't know many people who appear to introspect at all. I read that and think that your concept of meditation and my concept of introspection are probably more similar than our ideas of meditation.

[edit: Honest question I am pointing out that the parent might not disagree with those who tout introspection, as they may share semantics for different words.]

roqetman• 17 years ago

My understanding is Introspection is the analysis of ones own thoughts. Meditation is simply being still and seeing things as they really are, understanding that thoughts are just thoughts, just as the floor is just the floor.

mburney3• 17 years ago

I mostly agree with roqetman's definition and I will add that my definition of introspection extends to the analysis of one's self in general. Analyzing oneself is often fraught with self-deception as we can only analyze ourselves using categories that are limited to our finite experience. This doesn't mean it is waste of time, but it carries the danger of us deducing way too many ungrounded truths about ourselves.

Meditation on the other hand I view as a letting go of this kind of analysis.

lainca• 17 years ago

Happiness comes from you having an interesting life. I recommend reading the "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" to find more about it.

Ingredients in the Search for Happiness

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