Do you believe happiness is a choice or something that is largely shaped by circumstances beyond our control? Or a bit of both?

Question

I think it's honestly a bit of both.

While we absolutely have the power to choose to be happy and find things to make us happy, I also believe there are many things outside of our control that can shape our happiness such as being rich and educated.

But some people despite being poor or uneducated, rise above it and still find happiness within their desolate situation.

It's honestly hard to say how much control we have over our own happiness and how much of it is due to our circumstances in life.

I live in a country where many of us live privileged lives even the lower class and able to be happy despite being in the lower class. I can't say the same for other countries where poverty is at an all time low.

ohsheeT · Accepted Answer

Every in life is a mind set first  Then understanding then you have to ask your self or be honest with yourself what do I want and what am I willing to do or give up in order to have it all it's a choice  All the answers are with in us all the tickets to get where we want to go are with in us  We have 1000s of doors within us the trick is when we open that door we can either walk through it or close it it's a choice what ever is behind that do we can have. But you have to give something up to get it all.. we think  Same with happiness it sits right next to sadness it's a choice  You can pick happiness you can have it each and everyday  But if you allow yourself 1 second of saying to your self  But can I. Or but what if That means any doubt at all then write in that moment, you change happiness for sadness. Because you don't believe Just. Like every other door inside of you it's already yours , you already own it , but sitting right next door to it is The negative of not believing that you own it are capable of owning it. So in that moment , you go right back down to not having , because you don't believe and you're not committed to it  Make a choice of what you really want if follow through and don't ever believe that you're not worth it or you can't have it. The moment you do , you go right back to having nothing  If you want it , get it , take it , it's yours , but do not ever allow yourself to think you're not deserving or any other negative thing? Because then it's gone  I HAVE TO THANK YOU AGAIN FoR YOUR QUESTIONS because when I answer them
It's something that I have always been thinking about. But i've been thinking about the wrong direction , and I always are you something that I know , but I don't do   And with my answer just opened up new doors for me. So I have to thank you for the question I hope that other people understand what I'm trying to say. Because sometimes I talk backwards l o l but this time , I heard my message loud and clear  So make a choice and keep going forward. Do not hold yourself back by the things that you think or feel, because that's what destroys what you want and what you can have. And all the work that has taken you to get to a certain point Even though it'll all come back around and you'll do it again and you start off at that certain point and keep going forward, that's what makes us keep growing each and every day that's how we become better each and every day is we are lucky if we don't make it the first time we circle back around. Everything completes a circuit in everything in life. There always become another moment where we get to try again. I don't like how I just answered this last part because the positive was there. The way was there, keep going forward? Don't look back But the moment I told you about it all coming back in circle, that was the downfall that just brought everything back down to 0 again. So  Really, it wasn't that bad. Because you have to know the good with the bad. Now, f*** the bad, leave the bad out of it. Do not ever go back to that , just keep going forward get what you want , make it a goal  If doubt comes into your mind, get it out right now. The moment it does take another step forward.
Don't hold yourself back. That's what we all do , including myself But
With your question as just made me decide. Today's the 1st day of the rest of my life, so I thank you. I believe , I understand that even better now

NathanDavis · Accepted Answer

definitely both... and also few more things

sometimes, people don't even get a choice to choose, they're stuck in certain circumstances without a way out and even then, some of them find happiness one way or another, so... it has to be way more than that, and it is

there's choice yes, but also chance and circumstance... and not only our own but that of others as well

RandomGirl42 · Accepted Answer

I believe happiness is always a choice.

They put 2 kids in 2 different rooms. One was full of the most awesome new toys available. One was full of horseshit.

An hour later they checked on the kid with the toys who was sitting there miserably and they asked , "Why are you miserable with all these toys?" The kid replied, "That one broke. That one's the wrong color. That one sucks." etc.

They checked on the kid in the other room who was happily shoveling away. They asked, "How can you be happy in a room full of shit?" The kid replied, "With all this horseshit, there's got to be a pony in here somewhere!"

7Phoenix7 · Accepted Answer

I think it’s a bit of both.

There are definitely things people can do that support happiness like focusing on the good, doing what they love, and all of that.

But at the same time, mental health is real. With depression especially… you can try your hardest and still not feel happy without the right support, therapy, or medication.

So I don’t think happiness is purely a choice… but I do think our choices can influence when circumstances allow it.

HawkPerception · Answer

I think that's something that people say to seem all motivational and wise. But I don't see any truth in it. When you have certain circumstances, it becomes impossibly hard to be happy sometimes.

Let's say you're starving in poverty in a country, your loved ones are dying around you from disease and violent crime, and it's only a matter of time for you, while you know there are people in the world who have it all. Trying telling that person happiness is a choice.

Let's say your father molested you all of your childhood and you had to witness him beating your mother, and using all the money that the family earns to spend on drugs, alcohol, and gambling. Your mother does OnlyFans and your classmates saw it and bully you because of it. Try telling that guy happiness is a choice.

I gave the most extreme examples to prove a point, but you don't even need those extreme circumstannces to be unhappy. Everyone has their own demons to fight, and once you overcome them, you can be free and happy. But circumstances do matter... a lot.

Gobbyjobby52 · Answer

This will be a hot mess of a post so here i go. Happiness can be a subjective thing its rare but even in war torn countries you'll get the light hearted middle eastern man who still cracks jokes and tries to make the most of what he has with his family - the light in the dark room.

Now when things like meds are introduced its harder to subjectively feel happy all around - this isn't a morale failure its the consequence of medical regulation, think antidepressants and anti-psychotics and even with illness untreated. Even if the system is good economy, opportunities and ambitions are everywhere externally if you feel like shit all the time and feel stuck and unable to change these feelings without collapsing back into sorrow and apathy it'll all feel like empty actions and things to fill times not direction or aspiration. That being said if the threats are high enough such as your life being at risk the human psyche usually moves to survival so the external can factor in. I'd say though it really depends on biological factors like meds, illness and eventually choice with the external being the scaffolding.

jshm2 · Answer

Neither - it's largely a myth.

People are actually seeking "contentment" not "happiness". It's why they are so fucked up in their goals and means.

It's like trying to equate an alcoholic with a drug addict on who is happy. Bitch, you are both in the wrong, and there is no equivalence to be made.

Happiness by its very nature is something short-lived, and more a milestone in a path of sorrows and trials, than a constant state. Often its worse than the negative emotions as people will do almost anything for their myth of "happy". No differently than an addict will for their fix.

Billlewis · Answer

What’s happening today, in my opinion, is that people are intentionally deciding not to be happy, because that’s become so popular. Every generation thinks they have it worse than everyone else, but in the end, we’ve all had it tough. It’s called ‘life’.

MontBlanc · Answer

A bit of both.

Circumstances affect your baseline, money stress, health, environment, relationships those are real. But your mindset and habits shape how you respond to them.

You can’t always choose what happens, but you can build patterns that make happiness more likely: gratitude, boundaries, meaningful goals, good people around you.

So happiness isn’t a simple switch, it’s partly situation, partly daily choices.

Maybe_Maybe_not · Answer

Considering that happiness looks like a choice for people living in environments commanding them to be happy Considering that some people can persuade themselves they are happy although they are unhappy Considering that there doesn't seem to be much consensus about what happiness is Considering that this has become a bullet list of considerations Wow, I lost me.

RavVid · Answer

I think it can be both nature and choice. Women are more prone to depression so it quite possibly has biological origin.

I think happy is the wrong word however. Content is a better one. Happy has a party, special joyous event whilst content has a more base level general happiness with life.

You definitely can work on contentedness. I have done so recently.

msc545 · Answer

I think it really is both. It certainly is possible to be unhappy due to happy circumstances, or at least under happy circumstances. But I think the combination of a reasonable mood in good circumstances is what leads to happiness for most of us.

lightbulb27 · Answer

Both make a choice right now and every day. but sometimes we get curve balls thrown at us and it's more than we were prepared to handle. it can take time to bounce back. the more support we have, the better we bounce.

good q.

Anonymous · Answer

Not really. I believe having feelings isn’t a choice. It’s normal for humans to have feelings. If a person has been abused by other people or gone through traumatic experiences in their life it’s normal for them to feel sad.

CupcakeTheDestroyer · Answer

Happiness is very much a choice. Even if you exist in an environment that would leave anyone wanting, you can still choose to be happy. Being miserable and lamenting your situation is also a choice

Miristheiss · Answer

It is a choice.

Also, contentment and peace is the realistic goal... not always being "happy". People do choose their life view.

Happy people are naturally happy. Circumstances do not govern their countenance.

queenofcardio · Answer

I think people can choose to be happy.  People can also choose to react a certain way when dealing with hardships. It's all about perspective.

Telekinetic-Potato · Answer

It's your choice if you learn to discipline your mind and choose positive (yet ideally grounded) perspectives.

exitseven · Answer

It really is both. If life is really tough all the time it is hard to be happy but some can look at things and think that they can always be worse and could maybe be happy.

Anonymous · Answer

have you ever considered that there are people who cannot have access to certain things that make them happy?

trust me, if everyone had access to things that made them happy, there would be no sadness in the world.

slatyb · Answer

I don't think it's a choice. Some people are happy as long as their basic needs are met. Others have more than enough yet happiness eludes them.

MrChinaski · Answer

Happiness =Outcomes - Expectations You have some control over outcomes, but total control over expectations.

Bklynbadboy12 · Answer

Its a choice for sure you can let things get you down or you can move past it

Dargil · Answer

You can decide how you receive fortune and misfortune.

CuriousMufuxka · Answer

Oh by far beyond our control! You can gain the world and still be pissed off. Enjoy the happy while it lasts..

JustJustin90 · Answer

It's both: it's the choice of accepting circumstances beyond our control and controlling the only thing we can control: our reaction to the circumstances.

dudeinohio · Answer

Definitely a bit of both.

eagle1951 · Answer

its all around

Jerre · Answer

I think both

Do you believe happiness is a choice or something that is largely shaped by circumstances beyond our control? Or a bit of both?

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Is happiness a choice?

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