What is happiness to you ?

[Akihiro 90]

Hello everypony !

Today I would like to ask a little something to you.

 

A little something related to a big problem that cannot be truly resolved. (in my opinion)

 

Happiness.

 

How does this word sounds to your ears ?

What ideas does it bring to your mind ?

 

Does it make you think of those moments where you are happy because something nice happened to you (or someone else !)

Or do you fall in deeper reflexions about the sense of that word, in an empirical way ?

 

Does happiness represent something to you ? Or is it represented by something ?

 

 

The discussion is open

 

(I'll share my thoughts a bit later )

[Scootalove 10,689]

Happiness to me, is what helps me get up in the morning to go to school. It reminds me that, the past to me has moved on and so should I since I see myself maturing as of late. But, I can still have fun.

[Gone Airbourne 21,977]

Happiness is a lot of things to me. Following your heart and doing the things you love day to day. Talking to friends and spending time with others you can relate with. Taking/enjoying the many beautiful/awesome things we do have in this world such as art, music, scenery, and etc. You are the key to happiness and never let anyone try to box up happiness. Material things do not bring happiness it comes from your own heart.

[Harmonic Revelations 8,835]

Happiness to me is when the brain releases higher levels of Serotonin than it usually does, thus creating a positive physcological effect.

[BeatrixBow 119]

This word you speak of is my whole life. I could not live without happiness. Everyday, no matter what the situation, you should try  to see the better side of things so you can truly feel happiness. Because "the only thing we have to fear, is fear itself." (FDR quote) And we all can get through life with a little happiness and sunshine. So, everypony, just SMILE SMILE SMILE! 

 

[MelancholicMemory 2,025]

This song is meant to be ironic, poking fun at Goths and emos, but it means a lot to me at face value in respect to my idea of the meaning of happiness. I am usually happiest in light of tragedy; just after or just before being really sad. This is why I have such a hard time being happy, because teh things that make me sad and the things that make me happy are eternally linked. This is where the poem from which I derive my username came from, actually. I see "melancholy" not just as a synonym for sadness, but also including a feeling of bittersweet happiness and longing.

 

Some things make me happy almost every time I experience them, and most of them follow this idea of sadness mixed with happiness. I like to see the sunset and the full moon. I like to experience autumn, in which summer dies and winter is born. I like artwork and stories with this sort of longing happiness as well, the best example being my favorite anime, Higurashi.

 

Overall, the perfect scenario for me though, is just the freedom to act the way I want, think the way I want, and do the things I want without being hassled by anyone, or weighed down by too many obligations. I want to have my identity respected enough that I can be left alone when I want because I'm very introverted, but I also want to have friends to talk to or just hang out with if I want. I'm also happy when I'm productive and achieving, yet I'm also enjoying myself, and this only really happens when I'm writing or drawing.

 

I think true happiness is almost impossible, but it is worth it to pursue it anyway. Happiness is freedom. Happiness is friendship and love. Happiness is making the world more ideal. Happiness can also just be having a good time. That's what I think happiness is.

[SCS 7,537]

Happiness, in my opinion, is the core of life. A will to be happy and to help others to be happy. Self-love, love for others, love for the world, love for life. I think this is important to all of us in different ways. Some seek it through money or power, through a job or an endeavor. And while I do want to earn money and get a job, I don't believe that I will find happiness through those things. I can only find happiness within myself and those around me. It's, in the spirit of A Miracle on 34th Street, one of those lovely intangibles. 

 

Today, I finished reading a book called Brave New World for the first time. It addressed the issue of seeking happiness in life. In the novel, the world came out of a devastating war and chose to sacrifice their humanity for a blind, fake happiness. It is a stark contrast to what I believe is the way to go. Happiness should be achieved through free will. Then, it is true. 

 

We all have different experiences in life. We all have different beliefs regarding the spiritual and the earthly. However, a common thread can be found, a chance for unity through individuality. That is the will to make the world a better place. To put other people before yourself. To love yourself, other people, the world, life, animals, nature. Just as the mane 6 did in My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, we can learn to put our differences aside and focus on what unites us all: a desire to live. And, from a properly nurtured desire to live, can bloom forth a desire to ensure the lives of those around you are as happy, good, and peaceful as possible. That is happiness. There lies the truth, a truth for one and all.   

Edited February 21, 2013 by SCS

[~Starlight~ 764]

Well a number of things make me happy because I'm a happy chappy (Or more like a Happy Lassie.)

 

Being with friends and family!

On a stage or anything like that with the adrenaline.

Dreamland becoming Ultimate pokemon trainer or breaking the fourth wall :3 

And seeing other people happy, like people who need help or in poor countries.

Seeing someone smile...

Edited February 21, 2013 by Frozen Mint

[Throwaway19573639385 764]

Having enough exciting things to do in my life but still maintaining my peace. I don't like getting bored so I need to have a variety of hobbies but I don't want my life getting too hectic with so many unnecessary responsibilities that I can't find myself to slow down when I want to take a break from everything. 

 

I'm happy when I can move forward in my life, I'm happy when humanity moves up the ladder of science and technology.

 

But perhaps the thing that makes me the happiest is... making other people smile. Making other people happy gives me the best feeling ever, I don't need that much to be content with my life, but helping others to have a better day, giving them the power to soldier on through their perhaps tireful days is something I always long to do. Seeing people smile gives my life the life I want live, it gives me a reason to live, making other people smile gives me power to get through the days myself.

[~Starlight~ 764]

Another thing would be when anyone likes/bro-hoofs mine or anyone elses posts!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

applejack also makes me happy, because she is best pony, erm eerm, silly 100 letters....

[Stalliongrad 982]

Happiness is doing things I want when I want with who I want to do them with. And the annoying interference of everyday life does not hinder anything. That is happiness to me.

[Tia Is Best Pony 310]

hapieness to me means living for others instead of yourself you can make you self feel good by being selfish you can feel more amazing than anything by helping someone 

[A Glimpse of Everything 129]

Happiness to me is being myself, helping people, being with my friends, listening to music, contentment, and seeing joy in someone else's life.

[Mutemutt 773]

First off, let me say that this is an awesome topic. I may be gushing a bit, but just seeing topic like this makes me happy.

 

What's happiness to me? A primal feeling and yet words just don't seem to do it justice. It's something much easier to picture than it is to explain. Just thinking about the word brings back some of my fondest memories. It's the ultimate feel-good feeling.Yeah my fondest memories rise from the depths of my mind where they lied forgotten. It feels almost as if I'm reliving them a bit; I can close my eyes and there I am as if not a moment had gone by.

 

If I think about what makes me happy, the first things that come to mind are my hobbies like playing the sax and reading my favorite book -- the obvious things-- but then there are others such as my family and friends -- the people who really light up my life. They don't even have to be with me; they are thousands of miles away and we probably don't talk as much as we should, but it feels like they're still here, just right next door. Yes, even the one that were lost; I still remember the good times we shared while we were still friends and while they were still alive, though, admittedly, those memories are a bit more melancholic.

 

I can't say that it represents anything in particular. Just like I said before, it's really hard for me to put into words and at the same time it's unmistakable, it really is.

Edited May 25, 2013 by MuteMutt

[Steve 290]

MLP, especially pinkie pie

 

eating

 

playing video games

 

internet

 

friends

 

fapping

 

music

 

no homework

 

no school

 

animals (inb4 fluttershy)

[♥.:Yulaiyre:.♥ 290]

Happiness, to me at least, is a very fragile thing that can be blown away by something small. It is a great thing to be happy, but it is not something I strive for.

 

I strive for contentedness, to be content with everything around me, and just able to enjoy my life.

[Retro*Derpy 3,185]

Happiness is one of the reasons we are born into this world, to strive for and "the reason to get out of bed". It is hard to obtain yet it is sooo easy to lose it, from things like death of a family member to getting yelled at during work. I've still have yet to achieve some sort of happiness, though I blame all the stress high school has been causing.

Edited February 24, 2013 by Retro✮Derpy

[Creamy Arty 6,252]

Happiness for me is a solitary walk through the woods, or standing on the end of the dock at sunset at my family's fishing cabin by Rideau lake. My happiest moments are those I spend alone in nature.

[Chales 129]

I think of yellow when I think of happiness. Happiness has changed a lot for in the bast few months. A lot of things have happened in my personal life that has made me change how I see it. To me, happiness is nothingness. No pain, no hurt, no excitement, just nothing. To be left alone without any worldly factors; no war, no money problems, no hate. Just me, and a nice white room away from humanity.

 

Wow, that sounded a lot less depressing in my head lol.

[Just some guy 1,070]

Happiness for me is when all of my friends are happy and having a jolly good time.

 

I thrive on my friend's well-being because I love them all dearly,much more than my actual family.They're the reason I get up everyday,to go out and live life.Without them,I don't know where I'd be right now.

[Lunas Husband 2,777]

To me it sounds like a wonderful word, and what brings me happiness? ah seeing others being happy! It makes me feel all warm inside and makes my heart feel good.

[Derpaholic 1,155]

I think it's important to differentiate between happiness and joy. Joy is fleeting, whereas happiness is long-lasting.
With that being said, music, love, and Derpy are the three primary things in my life that make me happy.

Edited November 30, 2013 by Bron-Yr-Aur