"I cannot believe that the purpose of life is to be happy. I think the purpose of life is to be useful, to be responsible, to be compassionate. It is, above all to matter, to count, to stand for something, to have made some difference that you lived at all."
Leo Rosten
I tend to agree with this quote. The pursuit of happiness above all else seems contrived and rather futile. Trying to make a difference seems a better use of time to me and it brings more joy. Happiness as a goal is over rated.
What are your thoughts?
Come sit a spell and shoot the breeze. Sweeten the day with a little synchronicity...
20 comments:
Happiness is a by-product of life pursuits and experiences. A side-effect perhaps.
happiness is a warm puppy... charles schulz, through charlie brown
I agree with the quote. It is pretty obvious that we are not put in this world to be happy.
This does not mean that I think that happiness should not be a goal, just not the main one in life. I strive for happiness because I feel it is part of my recovery. I need to learn to feel it again and be grateful for it. I do not however expect to feel it all the time.
I think it all depends on where you look for happiness. If your happiness is dependent on all things external, things going your way and everyone else being happy, forget it. It'll never happen. For me happiness is a state I choose. As for purpose, BEing is just fine.
I agree with Lisa, that it is a by-product, or I wish it to be and you, that it is not a pursuit above all else.
It's kind of nice to give it, or see it in others; of course you said that too, in making a difference. Darn good post, not needing my, "me too!" comment.
I believe that the purpose of MY life is simply to experience it. I spent a long time pondering the purpose of life and finally came to this revelation.
I think as long as we live for ourselves alone, trying to create happiness for ourselves, we'll never be satisfied. We would always want more, whether it be money, fame, or success.
But when we live for the good of others - for the greater good - trying to make the world a better place, we will find true joy and fulfillment.
Happiness is where it's at. Being happy and making others happy. That is how I try and spend my time on this earth. Having purpose, being productive--makes me happy. When you stop seeking happiness you become weak of spirit. Just my opinion. To each his own. A lot has to do with how you DEFINE happy. A rainbow makes me happy. What other(or better) purpose does it serve?
I find that giving, and doing for others, has resulted in my greatest happiness in life.
(cheap transition coming up)
Speaking of giving, I have a contest up at my place, with the prize being 10 (crummy) CDs. Why not come on over and take a shot?
On a steel horse I ride...
Oh, and happiness is a warm gun...
I strive for happiness! If I am happy I do good things for the most part, if I am not I can be very unproductive.
Gross National Happiness, by Arthur Brooks :)
I don't think the pursuit of happiness above all else makes much sense but I do think trying to be happy is a great goal. The older I get, the higher happiness gets on my priority list.
Happiness as a goal is impossible, isn't it? It's not a physical thing to touch, to attain, it's...the reward, for living right. It's the sun when you step out of a dark place. It's the smile on your child's face when they do something really right and you tell them so.
I wish I had something important to comment here...but all I can think about is a Beavis and Butthead joke where one uses the word, "happiness", and the other says, "huh, huh...you said penis"...
Yep, I guess I find my "glow" in stupid humor...
Linda D. in seattle
What is that old saw? You do not HAVE to be happy ALL the time.
i completely agree..foam
Happiness is as a butterfly which, when pursued, is always beyond our grasp, but which if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you.
--Nathaniel Hawthorne
Blessings and wonder, Merelyme,
CG
Funny, I just wrote about happiness and how I discovered the fruitlessness of striving for it.
Happiness is simply a by product of a life lived well.
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