Please respond to the following prompts: I expect you to to ask an open-ended critical level question at the end of your response that may prompt someone else. I also expect you to react to one other's comment within your own reflection. Make sure you are being thoughtful and discerning.
What constitutes happiness in life? What do you need to be happy? What should drive and push us? What might blind us from becoming happy?
I think that happiness comes from your outlook on life. If you have a more positive attitude when life gets difficult, you can still be happy. I don't think you need money or material items to have lasting happiness. Those things may keep you happy for a little bit, but not forever. In a way, I think happiness motivates us. When we are trying to reach a goal or dream, we want to reach it because it will make us happy or someone else happy. If we are too concerned about the little things in life, we lose the ability to look past them to see whats good in life. We may be stopped from reaching happiness because of what surrounds us like a negative environment. Why do we criticize ourselves so much so often? Why does happiness seem to come easier to some people than others?
ReplyDeleteI think happiness is a mindset and depends on one’s personal life and how they interpret it. To be happy I think one needs a healthy outlet and a positive attitude. A healthy outlet could be a sport, interest, or to just relax. I think the future should drive us to make good decisions and one that do make us feel happy and stress free. In my mind nothing should get in the way of making us happy because if you have the right mindset you can make any situation a good one. How does happiness affect others around us?
ReplyDeleteI love how you said, "nothing should get in the way of making us happy." Happiness doesn't depend on other people or material things, it has to do with how you live your life. I believe that happiness is contagious and being around happy people will make you feel the same.
DeleteI know that happiness comes from different people and different places, but to be happy as an individual all depends on how a person interprets life and the attitude a person presents. People who look to more positive side are most likely to be happier than those who are the opposite of positive. In order to be happy, I think we need to be strong, mentally and physically. We need to be self motivated in order to accomplish some of the goals in our life. It is the littlest things that blind us from happiness, like worrying about the future instead of living in the moment or being too pessimistic about life and the lack of self motivation. What does happiness feel like?
ReplyDeleteI agree that happiness often comes from your outlook on life. Sometimes life throws things at you that are really hard to stay positive through which can make it really difficult to stay happy. I also believe that one's experiences influence their happiness. If one hasn't experienced or dealt with trials and sorrows, I don't think they can fully appreciate or experience true happiness. It's a two way street and you need them both to experience happiness to its fullest. To be happy I think you need to have strong mindset like what Abby said. We can't depend on others to bring this strength to us and set our circumstances for us, we have to go out and accomplish it ourselves. We should be driven by a personal desire to reach that level of happiness that can keep us going. We should also find what makes us tick and use that to help motivate us. I think that all the little things in life that keep us stressed and preoccupied block out and blind us from becoming happy. Is there ever a max on our happiness or can we always find a way to be happier?
ReplyDeleteI think that happiness in life is being happy with yourself, knowing that you have tried your hardest in all of life's situations. I think that you need to love yourself for who YOU are and not care very much what others think about you in order to be happy. I think that being the best that you can be for you should push you everyday. I agree with what Hayley said I think that the stresses in life blind us from being happy because we are too caught up in trying to be "good" enough for someone or something else that we stop thinking about ourselves and we become unhappy. Why does helping others always seem to make people happier?
ReplyDeleteI believe that happiness is the result of being and doing good and wholesome things. I don't think that you need anything to be happy. People who have the least in life are often happier people. I also agree with what Erin C said about how happiness depends on your outlook on life. Its like the saying " there's always a silver lining." People should strive to do good things for the world and other people. It's not only good for them but I also believe its good for their souls. I believe that money and fame and materialistic things can blind people from true happiness. A lot of people try to have the best that there is because they think that it's better and makes them better, but when you look at the big picture it doesn't really matter that much. You might be happy in the beginning but in the end, all you're left with is empty meaningless things. What does it mean to be "good"? What is the definition of happiness anyway?
ReplyDeleteI really liked you last question, "What is the definition of happiness anyway?" I don't think that there is any way to answer this. People find happiness and joy is all kinds of different things and everyone expresses it in a different way. There are so many different factors contributing to a similar idea or feeling that I don’t think it can merely be defined.
DeleteI think that happiness in life is different for each person but it is also the same in a way. Each person has a different life and different experiences that contribute to what they see as happy. For some people just having your family around you is enough but for others they think that things are what make them happy. I also think that people find happiness when they have success in whatever they are doing because sometimes that is the best thing to make you happy. Success is something you can strive for your whole life whether it is something you are personally working on or it is the success of someone else when you helped them to achieve it. I agree with what Chloe was saying about not needing anything to be happy because that is when people know they have a hold of true happiness for their life. Materialistic things can blind people from that happiness. I also think that stress and a busy lifestyle can blind people from becoming happy because there is no time to do things for yourself, to do things you want to do. What does it take for an individual to realize that they are not really happy, that they are living the lifestyle they got mixed up in?
ReplyDeleteI agree that one's happiness comes from their experiences and their attitude towards life. Always look at the glass half full and therefor you will most likely be happier than one who looks at the glass half empty. Looking at situations with a positive attitude will help you be successful. We should strive for happiness through personal interest, however this does not mean money or luxury items, which seems to be the main component that blinds us from true happiness. Money and luxury items give us a false sense of happiness. Sure they make us feel good inside but its like an addiction that keeps feeding and eventually destroys your life when you absolutely can not live without those items yet you can not afford them. Another example is when someone is so obsessed with this "fake happiness" that everyone around them is pushed out of their life and they become lonely.But how do we know what is true happiness? Who determines true happiness?
ReplyDeleteI agree, if you have a great mind set toward life you will always be happy even in the darkest times. If material goods start to blind you, realize it and take a step in the right direction. It is never to late to better yourself and the people around you.
DeleteAs many have said happiness definitely depends on your outlook on life and how you handle difficult situations. If you are able to push through difficult situations and realize that just because you’ve had a few set backs doesn’t mean you can’t be happy then you will find happiness. I agree with Kathleen that in order to be happy you need to accept yourself and love yourself for who you are. However I also think that you need to constantly better yourself, not because you are unhappy with who you are, but because growing as a person can only improve your outlook on life. I feel that you need to know you have people who support and love you to be happy as well. I agree with Tanner that the future should drive us to keep pushing on. Setting goals and knowing the person you want to be keeps you motivated. I agree that set backs in life can keep us from becoming happy. We tend to dwell on the negative things that happen and it often overshadows happiness. I think the idea that we need more blinds us from becoming happy. We can never be fully content and that interferes with our happiness. Can you reach happiness alone?
ReplyDeleteI agree with your first sentence, I think that everyone is different and is happy differently. Setting goals keeps a person motivated, love that you said that. Dwelling on negative things is the worst, do you think we can reach happiness alone?
DeleteHappiness is first loving yourself, second looking at life with a positive attitude, and third fully immersing yourself into each moment of everyday. In order to be happy, you must accept yourself for who you are and have a positive attitude. What I think should drive us to be happy is just knowing that we all have a limited time on Earth. You don't want to look back on your life and see that you didn't go for your dreams. If you have a negative attitude, let people push you down, or don't live deliberately, you have already lost. In response to Kathleen, I think that helping others makes us happier, because we get to see that we changed someone's life. I think it reminds us of our goodness and helps us feel positively about the world. Why do some people live with no drive and don't realize their unhappiness? How do you determine if you are a happy person or not? What does it take to end your unhappiness and go for your dreams?
ReplyDeleteI agree that happiness is loving yourself because to accomplish anything you should have confidence. I also agree that we should be motivated by time. Since we don't know when our lives could be over, we should live each moment in itself so we can live life to the fullest.
DeleteEveryone has different things that make them happy. You just need to find out who you really are. Happiness comes from within not from your surroundings. Some people pretend to like what their friends like just to fit in. Being an individual isn't just separating yourself from everyone else it is finding out what you love. There is a difference between what you truly need and what you want. There are so many things that blind us from true happiness. Media makes people believe that they need material things that actually aren’t necessary. I try to find what really matters to me that makes me happy.
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ReplyDeleteHappiness begins with a positive attitude. It comes from living for something you love and working through tragedy when it strikes. I don’t believe you need material things to become happy; as long as you are living your life to the fullest, doing what you love, and having good people in your life you can be happy. You don’t need money or cars in order to be happy. My parents tell me that when they were first married, it was some of their happiest days even though they were really poor, young students. I think that you should be driven by a lust for life. Being in love with the world, people and places around you can drive you to become happy. In our society, we are so blindsided by wealth, society and the media. People forget to focus on the little things. Do you think it's possible to be happy in this society? Do you think most people are truly happy?
ReplyDeleteI agree with everything you said. I do think it is possible to be happy in our society it is just very hard to do. When our society is so focused on money, its hard to overlook money in our lifes and find true happiness, but many people can do it and have done it.
DeleteEveryone has already said this I know, but I agree that happiness comes from the way you see life. Life is constantly throwing unknowns our way and we have an option on how we react to them. You can see it as a negative and feel bad about it, or you can see it as a gift and something that will help you grow. Our minds and attitudes are the only thing that can bring us happiness. They are our own worst enemies and best friends. They can just as easily destroy happiness, as it can create it. Are we as a society self destructive?
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you Katie. It all depends on the type of mind set a person has. I think people should always have a positive mind set because we only get one life and no one should live their life in a negitave way. Everyone should just be happy they were blessed enough to get a life.
DeleteWhat do I personally need to be happy? I don’t know yet. If I knew what was required to have happiness, life would be much easier. Maybe not happier, though. That seems extremely contradictory, I know. However, I find that I am happiest after I’ve been through a long period of sadness. I appreciate “happiness” so much more. “Happiness,” being a number of things. Sometimes it’s spending all night with my best friends. Sometimes it’s when I’m one hundred percent alone. Sometimes it creeps up on me. Sometimes, we don’t realize how sad we’ve been until we become happy again. And maybe that’s the beauty of it. Maybe that’s what makes happiness so wonderful; the fact that we, I, can’t have it all the time. I really don’t think happiness is an “outlook” on life at all. Who the hell is happy all the time? Who lives like that? Why would someone feel happy all the time, unless their life is always perfect, or artificial. I’m not saying people who have happiness are fake; but I think we all need to go through sadness, through tragedy, to truly ever feel happiness. I agree with “William P,” when he says happiness is loving yourself. You must love yourself when you’re all alone at night, to truly be happy. Happiness is loving yourself, loving the moment, loving where you are. That’s what it seems to be, and I don’t think anyone can ever truly have a firm grasp on it. Sometimes it slips away from us, and sometimes it slips back into our lives unexpectedly. We just have to wait for it to come back to us, because when it does, it’s worth it.
ReplyDeleteI think happiness is relative. There are times in life when you think you are really happy but realize that you have been missing out on so much. Likewise there are times when you are caught up in the craziness of life and miss the happiness that you are experiencing inside for emotions that you are feeling on the surface. In response to Shelby's question, I don't think that you can really experience happiness alone. Happiness should be shared with the people that you love. That's why when something really exciting happens to you, you just want to run tell your best friend. Some people have said that you can't depend on people for happiness, and that is true to a certain extent, but I think people are one of the main things that truly make us happy. We crave human contact because it comforts us and makes us happy. This does not mean that other people should drive us or push us to happiness. I think that people need to encourage each other on toward happiness. We have to be careful, however, that we are not blinded by poor relationships or pessimism. Can you tell that a person is truly happy by just looking at them?
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ReplyDeleteHappiness is what brings people closer and triumphs bonding. Happiness is seen differently through everyone. One thing might make one person smile, and the other frown. To achieve pure happiness your must take all the negativity that surrounds you, and your lifestyle and become pure. Being true to oneself, can bring one true happiness. Happiness can take a whole lifetime to obtain, yet reaching it is priceless. What brings me happiness is the smile that one person can carry on through the day. When positivity surrounds you, happiness is with you. People always say money, and extravagant goods blind people from true happiness. I have to disagree it's not what you can do or buy that blinds you, it's the people you surround yourself with. If you are always with someone down, and not in a good mood that will affect you and it will turn you into his feelings. Having positive relationships with positive people is how you can reach true happiness. What Brings true happiness mentally, physically, socially?
ReplyDeleteTanner W. I agree with you, having a positive outlet in life can help you reach happiness, and or guide you in the right direction. If negative people are holding you back you can never be truly happy. Surround yourself with good people leads to a better, and more healthy life.
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ReplyDeleteHappiness is continued throughout life when someone sticks to their own true values and goals in life, learns from their mistakes and does not have any regrets holding them back. You have to be open minded to other people’s views on life and you don’t have to accept them as your own truths but respect their perspective. Personally I have always wanted to live by the quote, “The greatest thing you will ever learn is just to love; and be loved in return.” Everyone wants to feel loved in life. I have always opened up to people hoping they all have good in them. Even if past experiences make me cautious, I want people to prove my judgments wrong and be great! I want trust in all those around me and to feel I can be myself. That and music would make my life happy. Our hopes and dreams should push us in life to live for what we want and not to impress others but inspire others to chase their deepest true desires. You should love what you do, take risks and learn more about yourself and the world; experience all life has to offer and live every minute to the fullest. Saying that sentence is pretty contradicting of me to be honest. I just got done emailing my history teacher asking to move my testing day because I am so nervous for all I have going on at school with just starting a job and switching from my mom’s house to my dad’s I am just always worried about something. There is so many parts of my past that I will share with anyone, sincerely with the hopes they don’t do the same stupid stuff and to know that it really does happen. But does the fact that I can talk about it mean I don’t regret a lot in my life, no frickin way. I regret so much and there is many things I hate about myself. Am I glad they got me to where I am now yes but would I take a lot of it back absolutely… sorry for the ramble. But I know what mainly stops me from being happy is my own view of myself. I have so much and just with the parts of my life that I have kind of thrown away and things that I’m still suffering from I feel keeps me from living everyday like it will be my last. Do we have to learn from our mistakes in the past to keep them from occuring again, or can we simply just forgive ourselves?
ReplyDeleteI am unsure what the key is to bappy in life. Mabey it is having money or being proud with yourself or just taking the mounts life gives you an d take advagnte. Will anyone ever find the true happness of life? I don't think so but i changle someone to prove me wrong!
ReplyDeleteLife is a roller coaster! If you are not strap in then good luck!
In my opinion, the thing that constitutes happiness in life is the positive relationships with the people around you. Family and friends are the main relationships that can cause someone to be truly happy. In order to be happy, one must have the positive relationships I mentioned earlier. If the family life is poor and there is lots of corruption, then that person ius likely not to be very happy. Things that should drive us to be happy is the thought that with a happy life, one will live longer and won't live bitter. One thing that blind us from becoming happy is that people don't truly know what makes them happy. Its not that they can never be happy, its just that they have to find it. I.E. the persuit happiness.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you think it is that makes people want to work harder for what they believe in or want?
ReplyDeleteI think happiness comes from enjoying the little things in life. Many times we over look some of the small things that could bring so much joy to us. We are so focused in getting the next big thing, that we forget what we have in front of us. We need to start slowing down and enjoying the little things/the things we have. To be truly happy we need to surrond ourselfs we the people we love and doing the things we love. It doesn't matter what you dont have, it just matters what we have and if those things bring you happiness. Do you thing it is hard to enjoy the small things in life, when society(media) overlooks them?
ReplyDeleteI think that happiness is dependt on the person.It is what they see in life.Like if your positive and hang out with people you love you will be happy. But you can still be happy by doing what makes you happy such as activites.Self motivation i think has alot to do with what pushes us. the self motivation to be better t.Negitive things or people drive us away from happiness becuase it puts you down even Failure drives us away from happiness.
ReplyDeleteYour attitude and outlook on life is what constitutes your happiness. Its your perspective on the obstacles life throws at us. Its about keeping a positive outlook, and doing what makes you enjoy yourself in life. To be happy we need to find our innerself, and accept yourself for who you truly are. You also need to do the things that make you enjoy life, and make you realize that you are thankful for everything you have, and not take anything for granted. To drive and push this feeling, we need to avoid things that put us down, and we should please our selves by reaching our desire to do things that put us in a good mood and give us a good outlook on things. I think that trying to fit in with others is something that can blind us from true happieness. Because your just doing things to be like other people, and to please them, instead of doing what you truly enjoy, in order to please yourself.
ReplyDeleteI belief that happiness is ones ability to be content with ones self. If the only expectation someone has for themselves is to make a lot of money and thats what they achieve then material goods can make them happy. In order to be happy you need and expectation and you need that expectation to be met. everyone has a standard for their life, some of us have low standards and some have high standards. the drive to succeed should come from us wanting to fulfill our own expectation. The main thing that blinds us from being happy is fulfilling others expectations of us before we fulfill our own.
ReplyDeleteTo be happy in life, you need to do what you love. Don't be distracted by boring jobs/school or material things. If you truly want to be happy do what is true to your heart. Don't let society tell you what to do. If you don't know what makes you happy, step back take a deep breath and reflect on your life and all the things happening around you. You will find a passion or drive to live life the way you want to. Hopefully this will open your eyes and show you the path to happiness. Why do people always try to be lemmings when they should be doing there own thing.
ReplyDeleteI think happiness is a very broad topic. Happiness can be defined to anyone differently. For me, happiness is little surprises that I catch other people doing for me or others, happiness is love that other people display. Not only that but I'm happiest when I can just relax. I think money has a lot to do with happiness though, because like I said in the other blog, but happiness I think can be earned but also comes at a price. Being with friends is a feeling of happiness, but what if you have nothing to do with friends. A lot of the time we sit down with friends and watch a movie or go shopping or play video games, all of those were either bought or are using some form of money to get there. Even going to the park takes money, you need money for gas to get to the park, and what if you get hungry? You have to eat sometime, which takes cash. I don't mean to be rambling about money, but I think that happiness comes at a price and you can't be happy without it. What blinds me from being happy is when I get stress, I stress over school or work and then I find my mind consumed in it.
ReplyDeleteHappiness can be defined as the state of being content or joyful. I believe that each person can choose their own happiness. This is not to disregard the tribulations of this life, however happiness is an attitude. Personally, I don’t need much to be happy. Health is a crucial part to my happiness. My relationships are very important to me. I have found that the relationships with substance are often the healthiest. I have been let down by many and others have been great contributions to my life and I hope I have done the same for theirs. Emotion health is also a significant influence upon my happiness. I must be content with my skin and the person I am. I have an extremely difficult time keeping my head up when I am weighted by self disappointment.
ReplyDeleteEvery individual has a different motivation. I have been motivated by family and also by past mistakes. I don’t feel I could describe what should push others because of the variety in each individual situation. Self motivation is the best motivation, though. Others can encourage our success but we are the ones who must perform.
Material possessions or worldly treasures can blind us from being happy. Happiness cannot be bought. Yes, one might be happier if they had less financial stress but the essence of deep satisfaction comes from a deeper place. Happiness is gratitude for the world around us. It is the fulfillment in a valuable relationship. Happiness is a healthy state of mind in which one can smile when they look in the mirror.
What defines worldly happiness as opposed to internal happiness?