First off, even in the article, there is some confusion between happiness and contentment. I believe that happiness per se is that transient state of pleasure we abide in for some time when, one way or another, things are going well. It is transient because if the situation that made us 'happy' maintains for any length of time, that becomes the new baseline. Humans are incredible adaptable emotionally. There is an awfully lot of good situations that people can manage to take for granted, and 'bad' circumstances in which people still find happiness. Happiness cannot be perceived except in contrast to sadness. You can't have one without the other. Why would tragedies and other such drama be so popular, otherwise.;)
"Get over yourself." Got to agree there. Got a 4.0 in a top high school with no effort. Got a full ride to an Ivy. Got humbled. Got a Ph.D. Just helped me to devalue Ph.D.'s in my mind.:)
You've got to ask yourself what you really want out of life. And, yes, the answer to that is allowed to change as you gain experience. Make your priorities, and have the integrity to stick to them.
And when you think you have your priorities, ask yourself what you are prepared to give up, what you are prepared to do, to manifest that.
If you aren't prepared to bust your butt in pursuit of something in particular, you are just going to go in circles.
Most important: inherent in your self-description is a comparison to, and judgement of, the people around you. It ain't about them. It's about you. As long as you're looking around and saying "I'm smarter than them." you will be going nowhere fast. If you're thinking: "Gee, what do I need to do to be more like that person," that's not ideal in my view, but it is step in the right direction. A successful life is not a contest with other people, but other people can be guideposts in finding your path.
For at least the last twenty years I have been following the medical beliefs around coffee, with it alternately being demonized and canonized.
WRT addiction: without boring you with the details, some of us do suffer quite a bit when we give it up for a while. Quitting smoking was easier than giving up coffee, and that was no picnic.
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If you think it's immoral or stupid to walk a mile in my shoes, I think it's immoral and stupid for you to pass judgement on me.
Slashdot Mirror
First off, even in the article, there is some confusion between happiness and contentment. I believe that happiness per se is that transient state of pleasure we abide in for some time when, one way or another, things are going well. It is transient because if the situation that made us 'happy' maintains for any length of time, that becomes the new baseline. Humans are incredible adaptable emotionally. There is an awfully lot of good situations that people can manage to take for granted, and 'bad' circumstances in which people still find happiness. Happiness cannot be perceived except in contrast to sadness. You can't have one without the other. Why would tragedies and other such drama be so popular, otherwise. ;)
"Get over yourself." Got to agree there. Got a 4.0 in a top high school with no effort. Got a full ride to an Ivy. Got humbled. Got a Ph.D. Just helped me to devalue Ph.D.'s in my mind. :)
You've got to ask yourself what you really want out of life. And, yes, the answer to that is allowed to change as you gain experience. Make your priorities, and have the integrity to stick to them.
And when you think you have your priorities, ask yourself what you are prepared to give up, what you are prepared to do, to manifest that.
If you aren't prepared to bust your butt in pursuit of something in particular, you are just going to go in circles.
Most important: inherent in your self-description is a comparison to, and judgement of, the people around you. It ain't about them. It's about you. As long as you're looking around and saying "I'm smarter than them." you will be going nowhere fast. If you're thinking: "Gee, what do I need to do to be more like that person," that's not ideal in my view, but it is step in the right direction. A successful life is not a contest with other people, but other people can be guideposts in finding your path.
For at least the last twenty years I have been following the medical beliefs around coffee, with it alternately being demonized and canonized.
WRT addiction: without boring you with the details, some of us do suffer quite a bit when we give it up for a while. Quitting smoking was easier than giving up coffee, and that was no picnic.
--- If you think it's immoral or stupid to walk a mile in my shoes, I think it's immoral and stupid for you to pass judgement on me.