Why Are You Happier Than Me?

[SalixIncendium]

If someone appears to be happier in a given situation than you are, do you feel then need to seek such happiness? Are you compelled to keep up with the Jones'?

Why or why not?
______________________________________________

 

[JustGeorge]

No. What makes other people happy usually doesn't do the same for me.

I became comfortable with that at an early age.

(I also think the Jones' are weird.)

 

[PoetPhilosopher]

I couldn't tell you as my answer is "it depends". I prefer to say something like, "The best form of demonstrating your beliefs is letting people see them come alive through you."

Or if we're talking material items and not beliefs, my answer is yet again - it depends.

 

[SalixIncendium]

I couldn't tell you as my answer is "it depends". I prefer to say something like, "The best form of demonstrating your beliefs is letting people see them come alive through you."

Or if we're talking material items and not beliefs, my answer is yet again - it depends.

On what?

 

[PoetPhilosopher]

On what?

On whether I feel the need to seek that same happiness.

 

[PoetPhilosopher]

Oh, sorry.

It depends on a number of factors involving intuition, how I feel and perceive a subject, personal tastes, etc.

 

[JustGeorge]

On whether I feel the need to seek that same happiness.

Do you ever find that when you obtain what Mrs. or Mr. Jones has, that it doesn't make you as happy as you were expecting?

 

[PoetPhilosopher]

Do you ever find that when you obtain what Mrs. or Mr. Jones has, that it doesn't make you as happy as you were expecting?

Like 60 percent of the time - yes I do.

 

[JustGeorge]

Like 60 percent of the time - yes I do.

What about the other 40%? How does it make you feel when it doesn't bring the joy you anticipated? Is it a learning experience, sheer disappointment, or something else?

 

[PoetPhilosopher]

What about the other 40%? How does it make you feel when it doesn't bring the joy you anticipated? Is it a learning experience, sheer disappointment, or something else?

I often take only mild losses of money as a "learning experience". Sometimes there are additional nuances, too, for example....

I've been thinking about something called an amiibo for my Nintendo Switch, a particular one. I only think I'll get $10 use out of it, and it's $25. But I'm thinking about getting it because it's rare and if past history is any indication, it will stay rare. And I'm thinking I'd be able to sell it later, if necessary, for that whole $25. And I do have some experience online auctioning amiibos with success, so I could be wrong, but I don't think I'd take much loss on it.

 

[Hermit Philosopher]

One of the most precious things that Man can learn to do in life, is how to wholeheartedly rejoice in another’s happiness, blessings and good fortune.

Then, there is no need for him to seek for what he has already found.


Humbly
Hermit

 

[stvdv]

If someone appears to be happier in a given situation than you are, do you feel then need to seek such happiness? Are you compelled to keep up with the Jones'?

Why or why not?

Exactly, key here is .... "appears happier"

So, NO

"Worldly happiness" is so much overrated

 

[Polymath257]

I have never understood "keeping up with the Joneses". I *know* that what makes me happy isn't the same as what makes others happy: for example, I enjoy doing math.

If they enjoy their new car, good for them! Let me enjoy my history book.

YMMV

 

[Revoltingest]

If someone appears to be happier in a given situation than you are, do you feel then need to seek such happiness? Are you compelled to keep up with the Jones'?

Other people's happiness is just nice to see.

 

[Trailblazer]

If someone appears to be happier in a given situation than you are, do you feel then need to seek such happiness? Are you compelled to keep up with the Jones'?

Why or why not?

I am better off financially than most people, so no, I am not compelled to keep up with the Jones.

I do not seek the happiness others have from non-material things that make others happy because I know I cannot have those things since my life did not go that way and it is too late to change it now. I cannot turn back the clock and decide to be somebody different.

 

[Trailblazer]

Other people's happiness is just nice to see.

Do you think you would still feel that way if you were very unhappy?

 

[Revoltingest]

Do you think you would still feel that way if you were very unhappy?

I don't know.
I can't clearly recall ever being unhappy.
It last happened in the mid 70s.

 

[Trailblazer]

I don't know.
I can't clearly recall ever being unhappy.
It last happened in the mid 70s.

Wow, lucky you. I can't clearly recall ever being happy for more than a few minutes, maybe a day.

 

[JustGeorge]

Do you think you would still feel that way if you were very unhappy?

Generally, yes.

Wow, lucky you. I can't clearly recall ever being happy for more than a few minutes, maybe a day.

Perhaps you need to play with the kitties more frequently?

 

[Revoltingest]

Wow, lucky you. I can't clearly recall ever being happy for more than a few minutes, maybe a day.

I do appreciate my good fortune.
May yours improve.