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How do you define happiness in the first place? Is it a bliss, joy, pleasure, an ecstatic state of mind, the satisfaction of one's desires, or the absence of th

by jmstfv 5y ago

How do you define happiness in the first place? Is it a bliss, joy, pleasure, an ecstatic state of mind, the satisfaction of one's desires, or the absence of them? All of the above? Perhaps none of them? Personally, I define happiness as being content with where you are right now - you wouldn't want to be in any other place, in any other time, in any other state of mind. You're happy here, right now. You have your inner peace. I was listening to a podcast some time ago, and one quote struck a chord with me: “Desire is a contract you make with yourself to be unhappy until you get what you want”. Perhaps happiness is a choice after all.

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jmiskovic 5y ago
> “Desire is a contract you make with yourself to be unhappy until you get what you want” Poetic, yes, but doesn't agree with my experience. Anticipation brings excitement and a certain taste of happiness. I would say my 'happiness level' rises closer I am to the goal, and drops fairly quickly after obtaining the goal. If I wanted to maximize someone's happiness over time, I'd try to keep them in state where they are almost achieving their set goals for as long as possible.
- jmstfv 5y ago
  > Anticipation brings excitement and a certain taste of happiness. It does bring excitement and joy, but this feeling is rather - you constantly have to chase it. > If I wanted to maximize someone's happiness over time, I'd try to keep them in state where they are almost achieving their set goals for as long as possible. There's a risk of burning out, so I'd be careful with that.
hansor 5y ago
>How do you define happiness in the first place? By measuring level of dopamines, and other neurotransmitters in brain when person claims to be happy. Easy and precise.
- mdorazio 5y ago
  That would make heroin addicts the happiest people on earth. Seems like a flawed measure.

by jmstfv 5y ago

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jmiskovic 5y ago

> “Desire is a contract you make with yourself to be unhappy until you get what you want” Poetic, yes, but doesn't agree with my experience. Anticipation brings excitement and a certain taste of happiness. I would say my 'happiness level' rises closer I am to the goal, and drops fairly quickly after obtaining the goal. If I wanted to maximize someone's happiness over time, I'd try to keep them in state where they are almost achieving their set goals for as long as possible.

jmstfv 5y ago
> Anticipation brings excitement and a certain taste of happiness. It does bring excitement and joy, but this feeling is rather - you constantly have to chase it. > If I wanted to maximize someone's happiness over time, I'd try to keep them in state where they are almost achieving their set goals for as long as possible. There's a risk of burning out, so I'd be careful with that.

hansor 5y ago

>How do you define happiness in the first place? By measuring level of dopamines, and other neurotransmitters in brain when person claims to be happy. Easy and precise.

mdorazio 5y ago
That would make heroin addicts the happiest people on earth. Seems like a flawed measure.