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What is happiness and ...

B

what is contentment?

Do they differ from one another?

I believe they do and I don't think I have ever experienced happiness but I think I've managed to reach contentment in later life.

I think that if you suffer from depression that's an issue but I also suspect that if you take medication for that, as I do, it meddles with 'normal' emotions.

Also, what in life would make you happier or more content?

I have to say that having spent most of my life struggling financially, money helps a lot.

Parents
  • B said:
    I don't think I have ever experienced happiness but I think I've managed to reach contentment in later life.

    I think the two are very closely allied. I count it a happy day if I've achieved my, 'to do' list, had a bit of fun with interests/hobbies and good communications at least once [eg, drivers waving at me for letting them out, a cheery chat with a supermarket operator]. These simplicities are contentment - happiness is the cherry on top of the icing; for example, hear birdsong, seeing fluffy or storm clouds, a TV programme I enjoy.

    You don't need power, money, fame, a 'good' childhood or good relationship to experience happiness, just to scale down your ambitions and appreciate what you have, rather than what you want. Reading the daily news, seeing how others suffer, is a great antidote to what you deem 'happiness'.

    B said:
    money helps a lot.

    Like you, after years of debt or financial insecurity, I'm happy if there's something left over after bills and essentials are paid. I then treat myself with some small thing, usually every week. I don't gamble - that is a sure route to unhappiness and lack of wish fulfillment.

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  • B said:
    I don't think I have ever experienced happiness but I think I've managed to reach contentment in later life.

    I think the two are very closely allied. I count it a happy day if I've achieved my, 'to do' list, had a bit of fun with interests/hobbies and good communications at least once [eg, drivers waving at me for letting them out, a cheery chat with a supermarket operator]. These simplicities are contentment - happiness is the cherry on top of the icing; for example, hear birdsong, seeing fluffy or storm clouds, a TV programme I enjoy.

    You don't need power, money, fame, a 'good' childhood or good relationship to experience happiness, just to scale down your ambitions and appreciate what you have, rather than what you want. Reading the daily news, seeing how others suffer, is a great antidote to what you deem 'happiness'.

    B said:
    money helps a lot.

    Like you, after years of debt or financial insecurity, I'm happy if there's something left over after bills and essentials are paid. I then treat myself with some small thing, usually every week. I don't gamble - that is a sure route to unhappiness and lack of wish fulfillment.

Children