"Happiness is found in doing not merely in possessing"
I have found in life that when I focus too much on receiving happiness from having something I end up not satisfied. I have found more joy in giving than possessing and in the process of attaining than the attaining itself.
What do you think?
I have found in life that when I focus too much on receiving happiness from having something I end up not satisfied. I have found more joy in giving than possessing and in the process of attaining than the attaining itself.
What do you think?
posted by Tom Bailey at 8:36 AM
16 Comments:
I would rather possess and then see if that makes me happy.
D.T.
I think I could easily take this down a dirty road, but I will refrain.
It's been my experience that any relationship based on possesing, rather than letting someone just "do," has not been a very happy one, so I agree.
Happiness is found in doing not merely in possessing"
I have found in life that when I focus too much on receiving happiness from having something I end up not satisfied. I have found more joy in giving than possessing and in the process of attaining than the attaining itself.
I so agree!!!! I can go out buy those shoes I've been dying for and then that excitement is over.....now when I give of myself, say like when I help teach Wed. nite PREP class---now that feeling of happiness, and seeing those lil' rowdy youngins' actually seem interested and say something profound for a 5th grader-now that feeling of glee never fades!!!!! That definitely pales in comparison to those shoes I just had to buy and thought I had to have!!!!
I remember when I was a kid and would go to the store with my parents. Kids are great at impulse shopping. I would see something I just HAD to have. Usually a cheap toy. My parents almost always responded by commenting on the quality by saying "that won't last until the water gets hot." That answer really didn't satisfy me much when I was young, but with the wisdom that comes with age, I understand. We have a lot of wants in life, some important, many impulse, rarely does the excitement last with the 'impulse' desires.
The process of working to earn something is rewarding. A true sense of accomplishment. But far greater are the intrinsic riches of giving to others!
Things definitely don't make me happy. Honestly, neither do other people. (Though, they can help.)
The important thing is to find happiness within and doing is definitely key.
I totally agree Tom. It's like happiness is not something that can be found in some destination...it can only be found while ur travelling.
Keshi.
Material possessions are what they are.. just things.. that we get fed up with anyway.
But to give and help others brings an immense sense of self-worth and purpose to our lives. ;-)
I couldn't agree more.
The good feelings that come from possession are short lived and like an addiction a person needs more and more to get that "high" again.
There's no doubt that the best things I can remember have nothing to do with the matieral things in this world.
***by the way, I got your note on my site - and isn't it just frustrating to no end when your computer just stops working on you?
: )
Wow, there are some really great people that have posted some incredible responces.
I was taken back at the way that the people here are posting. I have heard it said that only 5 in 100 people think this way.
I want to thank each of you for sharing so openly it is incredible to read and see how someone sees things from the exact angle that you do. Not that I look for outside validation for my way of thinking. Well in fact I look at my thinking in reverse, if too many people agree with me I think that my thinking might be off. I do not know how it is possible to have a way of thinking that appeals to the masses and yet enables one to live an outrageously positive life.
Absolutely! I love giving presents and parties and being able to do something to help someone out... being on the receiving end, however, makes me feel rather uncomfortable... like, I never feel as though I am gracious or grateful enough.
I think I agree but during times of duress I just feel the need to swear ;)
Giving would be the most rewarding thing cause we will than understand the joy of receiving, giving and sharing.
Though it can be challenging to sometimes give something u have saved up so much or loved so much. Sometimes just letting go proves to be the best thing to do than keeping it. i feel personally that it takes me to another level in maturity and journey
Tom, I agree with you, but someting receiving happiness will re-charge your battery, for positive energy.
To bring happiness to others will make me happy too.
Dpopping by to read the new post...
Well... I usually don't «expect» to receive happiness from anyone. I try to make people around me happy... and if they are happy, I'm happy.
And yes, there is more joy in giving. The happiest and most fulfilling moments in my life have been when I do volunteer work... or something as simple as a friend trusting and confiding in me. In short... making other people happy makes me very happy.
sometimes, sometimes sometimes....
the act of giving is in attempt to receive...
you know?
i have to be careful sometimes that when i give i do not actually WANT to have something given back to me, like praise, or admiration, or a gift in return...
it's best, i have found, to give anonymously, or in the name of Christ.
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