Are people supposed to be happy? How happy are you?

[Levin]

I was watching this video, and that level of happiness, honestly, it's sweet and that but I think it's overbearing.

I watched some of the video and thought, 'hmm, this is a third world shithole'.

But it got me thinking, should it be normal to be this happy? And our perceptions of life and the day to day are surely dictated to by our inner state. So you might change your job or your partner, tinkering around the edges, but if you're lacking in that inner sense of appreciation then you will always be unhappy. And because it's all you've grown up with and ever known, then you would never know that it is your singular limited perception that is curtailing your sense of reality.

So I suppose my question is, what do you think makes a person happy? How happy are you? Do you think it's about being in your 'purpose' and embracing change, rather than just passively accepting 'this is the way things are'?

And are we just reflections of our own parents traumas, unless we overcame them. So if you're parents always had that sense of scarcity or cynicism, then do we just continue that line unless we consciously overcome them?

I know this is shaped by culture, too. We tend to be miserable gits in England.

Updates

1 mo

Thank you for your very thoughtful responses.

[NathanDavis]

are people supposed to be happy? people are not supposed to be anything... either you are, or you aren't

how happy are you? happy enough to feel quite happy about it...

'third world and first world" are terms for unhappy people...

I do agree when you say that a truer sense of happiness comes from within... and definitely not with "status"

"what would make a person happy?" a whole lot of things, and nothing at the same time... it really depends on the person, and I could only speak for myself... and I, have it simple... making others happy, make me truly happy, that's my way and found it long time ago

in part, I am reflections as well... not only of my own, but others in my life... not just from trauma, but healing, and also rejoice and fortune, few other things too

your finishing line... is funny to me, as I would always have thought that, the doom and gloom of the British weather could make me about the happiest, weather wise... lmfao

[Lynx122]

Yes I think it's normal to be happy although a lot of people aren't. They're also on a holiday people are usually happier on holidays.

Personally my basic mood is positive, my brain kinda filters out stuff if it's too much negativity at once so I'm usually in a good mood unless I'm in the middle of some heavy mental work then it can be a rollercoaster.

What makes a person happy there's some general things like having a close community a social support net, helping other people yourself, having your health taken care of when you need it, feeling free, having opportunities.

But I think every persons journey is different, there's some generic mental advice but I think we have to figure out our own minds and grow. Some general advice might be helpful but a lot of it will not so we just have to figure it out ourselves.

Right now I'm in the middle of a chaotic phase a lot of growth is happening but also a lot of heavy stuff to deal with so I'm not at my happiest right now but I'm moving in the right direction I need to get through this not everything in life is nice and I'm accepting the bad parts and I think I'll be able to be more happy in the future because of what I'm doing atm.

[Simslover92]

I'm becoming more happy the more I start to really love myself and doing the things that are going to improve my life like quitting my miserable job soon and finishing my book.

[Levin]

Quitting your job sounds good. I fantasise about that day.

[Simslover92]

Yes definitely! I hope you will be able to one day soon!

[Abbycado]

Blimey, it must be the wee bit of weather you get that’s got you down.

Yes, I’m happy.

[Levin]

We get a good two days sun a year, it's fine.

[Levin]

Also, we can't all be from Florida (Let's see if my guess is right).

[Abbycado]

Nope, Pennsylvania and on the lake. We get wicked weather. Usually 100 inches of snow per season.

My parents have a home in the Keys, but I’m at school in the winter. ☹️

[Levin]

That's crazy, man. Must be different to live there.

[Abbycado]

Living here, you get used to it. Driving in feet of snow is normal to us. My parents now spend most of winter in their house down in the Florida Keys since I’m gone at school.

Only good thing is that I go to school about four hours away by car. It is way enough away from the lake to not get all that snow.

[Levin]

Cheers. I dropped a yellow man on google maps to have a nosey. Apparently it is Lake Erie.

Bit out of my budget, these: www.brendadonnellyrealestate.com/.../

[Abbycado]

Yep, right on Lake Erie, which is shallow so it is rough and freezes quickly. Snow, snow, snow.

Yeah, the Keys are expensive. They have a house on Marathon Key, which is big, so you get better value. Same with Key Largo. You can still get a decent view even a few houses from oceanfront.

[Levin]

Cool. Maybe one day I will go and meet some American baddies. Maybe not Florida though if it's full of retirees.

[Abbycado]

Indeed it is full of them.

[Levin]

Gators and grandmas. I changed my mind.

[Abbycado]

Everywhere. I can’t tell you how many times we’ve seen the big overhead signs on the highway saying someone got on going the wrong direction.

[Levin]

someone got eaten?

[Abbycado]

Old people that don’t know how to drive and get on the highway the wrong way.

[Abbycado]

Gator attacks are rare.

[lightbulb27]

we'll, joyful is better. at peace is really good. content is excellent.

Happy... what is that? Happy is good, but it's a bit more fleeting?

Yes, my wife and I are doign really well, the teamwork has been quite honestly, beyond my expectations how it smoothed out with the right "stuff" and I'm in such a good place don't know what to do with myself.

I know others that are.

But things is... happy goes up and down based upon whims ya know..."I loved this breakfast"...2 min later car accident... ugh... not happy now! Being at peace and able to roll with life, feeling secure... that's better, having love and joy, peace, contentment, self control, patience to give and share... that's worth more.

And yet again, that is another truth from the New Testament of the Bible and likely ancient wisdoms. You can find that in the Bible.

[Maybe_Maybe_not]

"So I suppose my question is, what do you think makes a person happy?"

Speaking of parents, it mathematically helps with happiness if their reflected traumas are on the mild side.

So my answer could be that we're not born with equal opportunities to reach a sense of happiness. Some are better equipped than others for that.

[Screenwriter]

No one's happy all the time. Sometimes you are, other times situations weigh down on you. And sometimes you're just going along in neutral. Time, place, situations, people all influence it and self confidence and self containment.

[goaded]

Inner peace

[slatyb]

People aren't supposed to anything. "Supposed to" impress that people are created for some purpose. We are not.

[MrChinaski]

Happiness is not an objective. It's a tool. Like pain. It's your body providing feedback on what you should do more of and what you should do less of.

[molonski2]

Just seem like two absolute fake young morons who have no idea about anything..

Just complete fake , stupid , nonsense and not real.

[Mike_Hum]

Gratitude and a positive attitude makes you happy

[Anonymous]

I'm not happy at all, my life sucks.

[Levin]

Love yourself.

[Opinion Owner]

I see no reason.

[unsteadydreadfeeling]

i'm not happy unless i playing the videos games.