Things

[writey]

- First, my sights at the gym tonight. Playing basketball with some dude who had 'Southside Play-Az" tattoed on his stomach. Ironically enough he did not play hoops like a playa and was a pretty nice guy. Also saw a harry Persian man using the ab machine with practically his entire ass hanging out. Thanks for that dude

Comments

Ignorance is bliss, no?

[destinymanifest]

I think that our background (how we were raised, and experiences we've endured) and our parents' attitudes help determine how happy we will be in our lives. And also, I think that intelligence does play a role in happiness, although I'm not sure how much.

Re: Ignorance is bliss, no?

[writey]

Right, I understand that experiences have plenty to do with how happy we are. But do you think that we come out and certain people are just happier than others. And those experiences, traumas, etc. just make it harder for each person to reach their optimal hapiness level. Like, for instance, do you think we all have a finite amount of athletic ability. You can practice to make yourself reach that level, but not everyone is going to be Michael Jordan.
Do you think it might be the same with hapiness?

[shweetnettie13]

Happiness is relative. You'll find people who aren't happy unless they're making 6 figures and driving the newest most expensive sports car. Then you'll come across people who are just ecstatic at living in a small apartment, but having tons of friends. To get to that point, though, I do think that the way we're raised, our environment, etc., plays a role in that. I don't think intelligence has much to do with it. I've seen some brilliant but very unhappy people in my life.

[writey]

But do you think that being so intelligent makes it harder to be happy? Kind of like the more you really know about the world, the more some of its secrets, etc. are revealed, the easier it is to be kind of tortured in their own mind, thus making it harder to be happy.

[shweetnettie13]

If it comes down to knowing more and being tortured in one's own mind, I think it's a matter of willpower. I know I'm not brilliantly intelligent, but I know a lot about the world's "secrets" and how things work and while I'm not happy about many of them, they don't prevent me from being happy with my life. I don't let it get to me.

[cynima]

Some people are just happier in nature. It's a personality thing--it's with you since birth. Yes, life and circumstance do play a part, but some people are just naturally more optimistic and happier or more laid back, no matter what life throws at them. I wish I could be one of those people, but it's just not the way I am. I can try to be more positive and try to be happier, but it will always be harder for me to be that way than to be unhappy. Sad but true.
And some people have seeming great lives, and are still unhappy. I really do think a person's disposition is with them from Day 1.

As for being intelligent and aware of world problems and issues, sometimes I wish I had less of that also--because it does weigh on me, and I have a brooding personality so I'm more likely to dwell on things. I could use some stupid happy fun right about now.

[writey]

See, I agree with you that it's inbred in people. I think that it's with you from day one. You can do your best to keep yourself at that optimum happiness level for yourself, but certain people won't be as happy as others.

I do think that learning more about the world can make it harder to enjoy everything. It's a bit like seeing the man behind the curtain. But sometimes it can be freeing too. It's a weird juxtaposition.