- Happiness is a feeling, a reaction, and an emotional state, so it is more natural to be built on an emotional and spiritual level, rather than on material possessions and sensual pleasures. This is why those who are emotionally stable and content are much likelier to achieve happiness, and those who are emotional fluctuant and angry often find themselves struggling.
- In older times, life was relatively simpler. The reasons for old days’ happiness are as follows:
- Contentment is the root of constant happiness. You’re satisfied with what you have — you have less desires — you spend your money properly and sparingly — you often find yourself a surplus — you feel secured and at ease both financially and mentally.
- You can afford to give. With little desire, you spend less and are able to save up a surplus — you can afford to help those who are in urgent need — you feel sufficient psychologically — and are often rewarded and blessed by the gratitude from the people you’ve helped — you become more motivated to give — a joyful cycle.
- Avoid comparing yourself with others. The lack of the Internet means zero social media — you’re less likely to compare yourself with others — you accept who you are and work with what you have — just focus on enhancing your existing qualities and conditions. You might feel insufficient when you look up, but at the same time, you find yourself sufficient when you look down. In fact, most of us are positioned within the middle range. Everyone lacks something — you gain this and lose that — you acquire this and misplace that — continue to move forward with the acceptance of The Law of Trade-offs. There is no need to force yourself, just keep doing your own things within your capability (while gradually work on expanding your scope of capabilities), enjoy what you have, and reach mental satisfaction.
- Contentment is the root of constant happiness. You’re satisfied with what you have — you have less desires — you spend your money properly and sparingly — you often find yourself a surplus — you feel secured and at ease both financially and mentally.
- In today’s more technology-advanced world, most people achieve happiness based on material possessions and sensual pleasures. Unlike how people in the past focus on internal emotional contentment, people today are very much concerned with external validation and approval from others. The reasons for today’s happiness are as follows:
- Reaching financial independence and self-sufficiency. Being able to afford and fulfill all of the basic necessities, and to even have a surplus for luxuries.
- Achieving success and accomplishment. Climbing the social ladder to reach a higher social status — you become less dependent to others, and less controlled by others.
- A smooth social life. Having a compacted group of interpersonal relationships. You’re welcomed and accepted by your family and friends.
- Public recognition and approval. Your words and actions are recognized and accepted by the society as public contributions. Your personality and integrity are affirmed by the society. Your mind is enriched and at ease.
- Constantly advancing and progressing in life. Noticing consistent improvements in your lifestyle. Day by day, you become more and more wise and knowledgeable. Your life goal is approaching. You are gratified that all of your hard work is paying off — the fruitful outcome is just right around the corner.
- Health and wellness are priceless. They are so precious that their value is unable to be determined. If you’re physically and mentally unwholesome — materials, power, love, desires, ambition — are all only hollow fantasies.
- Reaching financial independence and self-sufficiency. Being able to afford and fulfill all of the basic necessities, and to even have a surplus for luxuries.
- In most ordinary lives, the 5 common roots of unhappiness:
- Lack of wisdom. Spiritual concepts are biased too much towards utilitarianism and egocentrism. It is common to see unhappiness revealed in the ones who have accomplished high academic degrees and asset possessions. It is because of their self-centred mindset, egotism, materialism, greed, and selfishness — ended up becoming a subservient puppet who gave up their own will, locked-up and controlled by the richer and the more in-power.
- Lack of consideration to others. Only know one’s own personal profit, disregard other’s benefits — just seek to take, neglect to give — solely concern self-interest, ignore public interest. These will trigger others’ negative feelings such as sadness, disappointment, indifference, and antipathy. These bitter feelings will lead to criticisms, contempt, exclusion, disrespect, and the cold shoulder towards you. Eventually, even close family members and friends will walk away.
- Lack of blessings. The blessings in life lie in working less and enjoying more. Stop focusing on seeking others’ validations and dedicating your life on working overtime nights after nights, over-worrying about not being good enough, or getting annoyed by others’ opinions. “If you try to please everyone, you end up pleasing no one.” — Just let go. Letting go is powerful, it allows you to really enjoy the blessings that you deserve. Your bank account balance might be high, but it only signifies your usage right to spend that money. You don’t actually get to truly enjoy and own the value of your money until it’s spent (wisely).
- Lack of self-awareness. Only know how to look at things subjectively but not objectively. With no self-reflection, self-discipline, self-review —there will be no self-improvement. Invest in yourself — cultivate on your self-value and learn how to look at things from a broader angle with a deeper depth.
- Lack of health and wellness. Develop a disciplined lifestyle. You live your life disorderly — abusing your appetite and neglecting consistent exercise — you’re vulnerable to illnesses — ended up just laying on the deathbed not being able to do anything. If you don’t even have an effective life expectancy to enjoy and own your blessings, how could you talk happiness?
- Lack of wisdom. Spiritual concepts are biased too much towards utilitarianism and egocentrism. It is common to see unhappiness revealed in the ones who have accomplished high academic degrees and asset possessions. It is because of their self-centred mindset, egotism, materialism, greed, and selfishness — ended up becoming a subservient puppet who gave up their own will, locked-up and controlled by the richer and the more in-power.
The things you own end up owning you.
Fight Club