First Bookworm wrote about (the pursuit of) happiness, then Jana. Two very different perspectives.
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“Happiness won’t be found in expensive toys, jewels, homes, cars, but it will peek at you through innocent, seemingly insignificant moments.” Jana Allard “Are you Happy?“
Nor will it be found in the attitude that wants more for the self than it’s willing to give others. Happiness and joy are not the same thing. Joy has a more spiritual nature. But both are worthy of human pursuit.
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I found an interesting list to answer the question, What makes happiness?
1. Living in a country that is at peace.
2. Having good physical health.
3. Coming from a happy family background.
4. Having a secure job.
5. Being in love.
6. Having enough money to leave on.
7. Not having to depend on anyone else finantially.
8. Having lots of friends.
9. Having children.
10. Being successful in your professional life.
11. Having a nice home of your own.
12. Being able to see the funny side of difficult situations.
13. Having lots of interests.
14. Having a positive mental attitude.
15. Having a strong religious faith.
16. Feeling you are making a difference in the world.
17. Feeling good about yourself
18. Having interesting holidays.
19. Being able to help others.
20. Counting your blessings and realizing there are others much worse off than you.
(see here)
Would you add anything to this list? If so, what?
4 comments
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February 26, 2008 at 9:54 pm
writeathome
Hi Helen,
You made an important point that happiness and joy are not the same thing, and I agree that joy is of a spiritual nature. A lot of people have happiness because of financial security, wonderful relationships, a great job, etc. but the happiness seems to disappear when these things are taken away. I want to have what the apostle Paul had. In the book of Romans it states : Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
I believe that Paul possessed this kind of joy. Why else would Paul and Silas be able to sing after being beaten and thrown in prison? Acts 16:16-25 and on. I believe God wants us to have joy, a true joy that comes from having a relationship with Him.
February 26, 2008 at 10:10 pm
helenl
Hi Carol, Thanks for a great comment.
February 27, 2008 at 12:45 am
Jana
Your list has my mind spinning. I really need to give it more thought, but the first thing that came to my mind was “choice.” Having lived in a third world country, I have witnessed many people who didn’t have anything. No home, food, clothes, and sometimes no family, yet they were happy. I have seen naked children with swollen stomachs depicting malnutrition who live outdoors in the dirt, play imaginary games with sticks and squeal with delight. Regardless of circumstance, they chose to be happy. Of course, most Americans have never had it that bad. Your list is good, but I am going to think about it for awhile.
February 27, 2008 at 10:43 am
helenl
Hi Jana, I don’t know who made the list, but I found it interesting.