We build our lives around what makes us happy. We move away from or change things in our life that don't make us happy. The things we're all looking for: money, home, a place to fit in. They're all for happiness. The value of anything comes from the happiness it gives us. Every actions stems from our need for happiness. Break down every reason you have to do something and the very root of its purpose will be happiness.
Some people need immediate happiness. They live life in the moment, not simply by enjoying the world around them but by chasing each opportunity. By skipping homework and playing video games. By skipping lunch and eating dessert. By ignoring the street light and chasing the ball. Eager to experience the best in the world, they chase the happiness in life that comes at face value. They miss the deeper happiness in life and often end up hurting themselves.
Other people plan for future happiness. They sacrifice their happiness in the present for the hope of happiness in the future. It may seem more mature, but it's just as flawed. Eagerly chasing their goals, they lose the time they have in their youth. Many of them work and never find happiness, making all they ever worked for worthless. They lose the happiness that many of us take for granted in our everyday life.
Neither extreme is effective. Have a balance in life. Plan ahead for your happiness, but take the time to enjoy what you have in the present. Sometimes, it's better to sacrifice the happiness in the moment to ensure happiness in the future. Taking the time to study, for example. You give up happiness in the present by studying, but it's for the greater good of having a future you can be happy in. That studying will get you your dream job and the financial stability so that money will never be a problem. In contrast, it's good to take time off to do what makes you happy. Constantly investing your happiness will leave you dry, inhuman, and unhealthy. Find your balance. Cram as much happiness as you can in your life, both for the present and the future.
Stop yourself from being lazy. Open your eyes to the bigger picture of life. You're going to die one day, might as well be as happy as you can. Take the happiness of others into consideration too. Their happiness will become your happiness as well. Don't let immediate gratification cloud your judgement though. Don't let investments rule your life either. Be smart and decide for yourself what balance works best.
It is very important to generate a good attitude, a good heart, as much as possible. From this, happiness in both the short term and the long term for both yourself and others will come. - Dalai Lama
This was a great post. I loved it. You're so freaking brilliant, it blows me away. I love how you worded everything, and I agree with you completely. There does need to be a balance, with everything, especially happiness.
ReplyDeleteYou're so right. There are often two types of people--the future oriented type and then there's the present hedonistic type. The present hedonists, as you described, "live for the moment." The future oriented people are the type to think about their actions, set aside goals, and live for the future.
But you said it yourself. You pointed out the problems with both of them. If you're always living for the future, then you're never living in the present, and if you're always living in the present you're never living in the future.
There does need to be a balance with this sort of thing. It's okay to live in the moment sometimes just as it's okay to take caution to the wind and sacrifice certain things for a better future.
So, yeah. You're basically an all-around genius, and as always, your posts are so thought-provoking. I like the way you think and you write extremely well. You're a philosophical beast.
Great post, Raf!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree that we should balance our happiness on the scale. Not too much here and not too much for the future, but a little bit so that it is enough. I usually try my best to keep that balance, but I usually go for the bliss that is now rather than later or it goes the other way around. Striving for that ultimate balance is a test we have to deal with everyday, I believe.
Write on!
P.S. Like the Dalai Lama quote!