Is happiness really a choice?
@pauspaidtoclick (50)
Philippines
March 3, 2009 4:53pm CST
I believe and will always believe that happiness is a choice. I believe it is a choice because even the things that don't make us happy are still consequences of our actions. Happiness in my opinion, doesn't have to be overwhelming joy but I think it comes from a certain contentment within you. Do you think happiness is a choice?
3 people like this
7 responses
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
4 Mar 09
I think that happiness is a choice, because it is the thoughts about your life that make you happy, it is not your life in itself. You always have a choice, you can choose to complain about the bad things in your life or you can choose to be grateful for the good things in your life.
In the past this topic has lead to many discussion with other people, and many people get angry at me when I say that happiness is a choice. People often tell me: "My life is so bad, everything is bad, and if you were me I am sure you wouldn't be able to be happy" but I do believe that it is possible to choose what you want to focus on.
Sometimes it is big challenge to focus on the positive sides, and there has been times when I thought that there weren't anything positive things at all, but that is not true. The positive things were still there I just wasn't able to see them! To say that I am always happy and full of positive thoughts would be a lie, because when I am sad or angry I tend to forget the positive things, but they are always there.
1 person likes this
@pauspaidtoclick (50)
• Philippines
5 Mar 09
Personally I'm not an optimist so I don't always look at the positive side. Instead I weigh things out. But what I have found is that trying to be happy boosts your morale, it makes you want to try harder and therefore makes things better. Thanks for your response
@ionsquare (530)
• Singapore
3 Mar 09
Hi, i think someone can choose to be happy or unhappy. However, I think its difficult to control our inner feelings. Sometimes, things have really gone wrong in life that its hard to force ourselves to be happy. I deeply believe that its very important to feel happy in life and its what that keep us going in life.
@pauspaidtoclick (50)
• Philippines
5 Mar 09
It makes you think doesn't it. Would there be happiness without sadness?
@cobrateacher (8432)
• United States
3 Mar 09
Happiness is definitely a choice, and a fine one, at that! When people are determined to be happy, they will be happy, and life is too short for any less!
@pauspaidtoclick (50)
• Philippines
3 Mar 09
Very well said =) Yes, life is just too short not to be happy. I think sometimes people put off happiness because of guilt or time or the need to earn money, at the end of the day I think we should MAKE time to fulfill our happiness.
@chabawel (329)
• Philippines
6 Mar 09
Happiness is momentary. You can be happy today, be sad later.
Joy is more uplifting and more fulfilling.
With joy filled in your being, you are more content and at peace in life.
Happiness, you can have it through material things, from jokes, from whatever that will make you laugh right now.
But, Joy is a feeling that lasts longer.
@eabaterina (501)
• Philippines
5 Mar 09
thank you for this discussion, i copied your responses and sent it to my friend who is currently asking how to be happy in life =) i hope she learns from your responses. i can't seem to convince her that happiness is our choice. she broke up with her bf because she is no longer happy with him even though the guy is very loving and kind. for me, i always do my best so that my relationship will work out, because i also believe that if you decide to be happy, then you will be happy and contented with what you have in life
@pauspaidtoclick (50)
• Philippines
5 Mar 09
I'm glad you like the topic =) It's actually very hard to cope in relationships because they all bring different circumstances. I agree with your friend about moving on if she wasn't happy with her boyfriend but sometimes being in long term relationships can make you feel that you have lost the excitement or that things aren't "happy" anymore. That's how I used to be but my girlfriend made me see past that. I guess that happens when you finally meet the right person.
1 person likes this
@kornflakes (298)
• Philippines
5 Mar 09
I think happiness is more a result of efforts or it is a goal than it is a choice.
