Are You Happy?

[crawjo]

.

[Squaredancecalling Steve]

I'm postively ecstatic. I should get to vote twice.

There needs to be an option like, "Pretty happy, need however more money."

[vibes]

We need an in-between answer for those of us who don't really feel emotion. Seriously.

[Tom Storer]

You mean the robots among us?

I'm happy, because: I'm in good health. I'm gainfully employed and live in a peaceful, orderly society. I have a wonderful marriage and family life, and a network of good friends. I am never hungry, cold or without comfortable clothing; I own my home; I can go abroad on my holidays; I have easy access to art, music, cinema, literature.

All this could start to go wrong at any time. I could find myself with a fatal illness. I could lose my job, my wife could leave me, my son could end up in jail, my friends could desert me; I could wind up on the street, hungry, cold, shabby and penniless. All the more reason to be happy that none of that has happened so far.

I've known people in much the same situation as myself who have been bitter and spiteful because they weren't even more fortunate. Some people are just never satisfied.

[walto]

It doesn't take much, Tom. If one of your kids get sick or sad, everything can fall apart quick. It's kind of amazing when nothing in particular is going wrong. Of course then, one tends to focus on little things--like the asshole at work, or big non-personal things--like what's happening in Chechnya.

[vibes]

Originally Posted by Tom Storer

You mean the robots among us?

What I meant is that some people never feel strongly in favor of one end of the happiness spectrum or the other. I'm like that, and I don't think I'm alone. I don't really feel like I have "good" days or "bad" days. I have days where I'm really busy, and days where I haven't much to do. Maybe I'm more concerned about keeping myself busy than anything else.

Originally Posted by Tom Storer

Some people are just never satisfied.

From my experience, people seem happier when they're dreaming about things they want than they are when they actually have them. Nowhere in my life have I felt this more than with my CD acquisitions. It's probably my own fault, but I buy almost every CD expecting to be blown away by huge surprises, and rarely does that happen. I think I'm more excited when I know CD's are in the mail than I am when I actually put them in the CD player for the first time.

[walto]

I agree, vibes. I wrote on another board once, that I sometimes want to throw new CDs out the car window before I get home--even if it's something I've been looking for for years. It's like a drunk/addiction thing. It's a cliche, but it's true, I think: More consumer-type stuff doesn't equal happiness.

[john williams]

Originally Posted by walto

I agree, vibes. I wrote on another board once, that I sometimes want to throw new CDs out the car window before I get home--even if it's something I've been looking for for years. It's like a drunk/addiction thing. It's a cliche, but it's true, I think: More consumer-type stuff doesn't equal happiness.

I agree too, and thought I was the only one with this particular affliction, however, I do love the moment when I look in the mailbox and see a package there. This feeling almost always eclipses the enjoyment of the music in said package. Happiness/sadness are such transient emotions/states that the question is impossible to answer.

I could only pick a poll choice that said 'sometimes'.

[AntManBee]

Originally Posted by walto

I sometimes want to throw new CDs out the car window before I get home--even if it's something I've been looking for for years. It's like a drunk/addiction thing. It's a cliche, but it's true, I think: More consumer-type stuff doesn't equal happiness.

I can't help but think that record collecting (whenever buying turns into actual collecting is a personal definition I suppose, so let's not dwell on right now) sometimes look like a substitute for -- well, something else. Remember, it's not an accusation aimed at anyone in particular, just an observation, fwiw.

As for the thread's original topic, it's such a broad question that I basically find it impossible to answer.

[AntManBee]

JBW, how weird - I didn't see your post before I posted mine. It seems that we agree on this one. Again!

[Edit: Although I perhaps could answer the question with "never and always"...]

[Steve Reynolds]

Tom - you brought out many emotions with that post - I know and have known many evil cold hearted SOB's with egos out of control

I used to always be happy - I wear my heart on my sleeve

I wrote a long post - I cannot post it - too close to the heart - been a very hard year - you are right when talking about health - losing my job almost completely destroyed what working at the job didn't

and if you are reading, Gentle Giant (Jason) I was surprised to see that you revently wrote that you thought I wasn't a warm person - I have many many faults - but I don't think that's one of them - it's been one of my career downfalls - I can't fake it - and I alwys have thought that I am very nice to everyone I meet

love you all very much



peace and blessings

[Dr Dave]

I'm happy. Mostly, I'm extraordinarily lucky. I know I don't really deserve my good fortune, but I'll take it anyway. I'm in reasonably good health, I love my wife, we own our home, we're not really into Consumer Culture, except for travel. I get my on-stage jollies once a week. I'm losing weight, even.

And the question is, if all this were taken away tomorrow, how would I feel then? I hope never to have to find out.

[walto]

I could be wrong, but I have the feeling that a Bosox championship would go a long way toward making my man Stevie Rey a happy camper.

[Steve Reynolds]

no, Walter - I wish it were that simple!!

just following them this summer has been a great joy for me - I only wish I could see all the games - The Red Sox play with a joy and a spirit that I cannot recollect in any sports team as long I have been following sports.

and I made a comment recently about who has become my favorite athlete of all-time - especially after reading the wonderful piece about him in GQ - Manny Ramirez - he is the antidote to the asshole ego driven Deion Sanders type athlete that dominates today's pro sports - he is a sweetheart who actaully spends much of his day at the park smiling and genuinely enjoying himself, the game and his team mates - and as is pointed outin the article - his teammates adored him in Clevealnd - and I'm sure they feel the same way in Boston - and it will probably (hopefully) be a major reason Pedro stays in Boston


no matter what my troubles, I am still more alive than almost anyone - you all know that!!!!!

[vibes]

Originally Posted by Dr Dave

we're not really into Consumer Culture

I think this is the key to happiness for many people these days. I know too many people whose only goal is to buy the next car, the newest fashions, etc. I've had to learn to control my own urges to buy, buy, buy. Aside from CD's, I love electronics, nice clothes and trying new foods. After running up as much debt as I gross in a single year, I had to stop buying. I have felt much happier since I learned to control myself and my purchases. These days, being able to spend some time in a quiet, beautiful place (the Grand Tetons, Arches Nat'l Park, etc. come to mind) from time to time means a lot more to me than new clothes or a faster computer.

[timoleon]

i voted for yes,
although sometimes the things go really bad,
i don't have enough reasons to stick with it,
last few days the news made me sad with the school massacre in russia.

[Gordon B]

Originally Posted by Steve Reynolds

no, Walter - I wish it were that simple!!

just following them this summer has been a great joy for me - I only wish I could see all the games - The Red Sox play with a joy and a spirit that I cannot recollect in any sports team as long I have been following sports.

and I made a comment recently about who has become my favorite athlete of all-time - especially after reading the wonderful piece about him in GQ - Manny Ramirez - he is the antidote to the asshole ego driven Deion Sanders type athlete that dominates today's pro sports - he is a sweetheart who actaully spends much of his day at the park smiling and genuinely enjoying himself, the game and his team mates - and as is pointed outin the article - his teammates adored him in Clevealnd - and I'm sure they feel the same way in Boston - and it will probably (hopefully) be a major reason Pedro stays in Boston


no matter what my troubles, I am still more alive than almost anyone - you all know that!!!!!

I've been reading in the Baltimore papers (of course) that the newest Baltimore Raven, Deion Sanders, is really an introverted guy, a Christian to boot. Supposedly, "Neon Deon" was merely a marketing gimmick, a successful one at that.

[Gordon B]

What album is this from?

Are you happy?

I met a pretty girl on a date last night,
and let me tell you now, she was groovy.
And I kissed the pretty girl, and I held her tight,
let me tell you now, she was groovy.

And now, no matter what I try to do
my mind's drifting back to you.

Are you happy?

And now, no matter what I try to do
my mind's drifting back to you.

Are you happy?

To you.

Are you happy?

Oh, I love you.

Please, tell me now that you're happy,
please, tell me now that you're mine.

Please, tell me now that you're happy,
please, tell me now that you're mine.

I wanna tell you I love you.

Are you happy?

[cookie]

In the past year, I have come to the realization that I'm finally happy. It's taken years, but I can't remember a time when I felt as secure and satisfied.

I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop.....

[Tom Storer]

Originally Posted by walto

It doesn't take much, Tom. If one of your kids get sick or sad, everything can fall apart quick.

Absolutely. I think we've all seen that kind of thing happen, to ourselves or someone close. And all of us have, or have had, or will have, sadness or failure or miserable luck somewhere in our lives. The thing about grounds for happiness is that you can't take them for granted.

Originally Posted by vibes

What I meant is that some people never feel strongly in favor of one end of the happiness spectrum or the other. I'm like that, and I don't think I'm alone. I don't really feel like I have "good" days or "bad" days. I have days where I'm really busy, and days where I haven't much to do. Maybe I'm more concerned about keeping myself busy than anything else.

vibes, I took "happy" to mean something like "globally content and appreciative" rather than "exuberant and grinning." I'm relatively laid back myself when it comes to general emotional tone, and my wife even complains that I'm a pessimist. But a day never passes when I don't reflect on how lucky I've been so far. I never won the lottery and my family life has not been without its troubles, like everybody's, but all in all things could be a hell of a lot worse. My deepest desires are basically met. That's "happy" for me, not excited enthusiasm or euphoria.

[crawjo]

I echo the comments about the emptiness of consumerism. There have been times that I've wanted to take my entire cd collection and just throw it out the window. I love listening to music, but sometimes my cd buying gets to be an addictive type thing, where it feels like the greater thrill comes from acquiring the object, rather than really appreciating the music.

I've spent so much money on music this year, it's ridiculous. I need to slow down. But every cd that I buy seems to implore me to get five more that are in the same vein.

I love all the recommendations that I've taken away from this board, so please nobody take this the wrong way. It's just a comment on my own mental state, but if I start a thread talking about how much I love a particular album, almost immediately somebody jumps up and says "If you like x, then you must absolutely immediately no waiting right now get out and kill anyone in your path to hear y." Sometimes I wish that things could just slow down for me, so that I could take the time to really absorb x, become familiar with it, and then later get to y.

Anyway, the idea for this thread came from a quote I read in a book I'm reading on American culture during the 1920s, about how the U.S. had always strived to be the wealthiest country in the world, and then once it was, no one was particularly happy because of it.

I knew that offering only two answers would give some people trouble, but I decided to do that intentionally. Because when it comes down to something like happiness, it's a fluctuating, imperfect thing, and there are always going to be reservations, no matter how many options you include. It would take practically an infinite number of options to give everybody an opportunity to accurately vote for their level of happiness. I just decided to leave it at yes or no, with no explanation.

[stonemonkts]

Originally Posted by Gordon B

What album is this from?

Iron Butterfly - In A Gadda Da Fuckin' Vida

[Gordon B]

Originally Posted by stonemonkts

Iron Butterfly - In A Gadda Da Fuckin' Vida

Yep. It was the first lp I ever bought.

[Captain Hate]

Your taste in music has improved significantly.

[Alastair]

Originally Posted by crawjo

I've spent so much money on music this year, it's ridiculous. I need to slow down. But every cd that I buy seems to implore me to get five more that are in the same vein.

I love all the recommendations that I've taken away from this board, so please nobody take this the wrong way. It's just a comment on my own mental state, but if I start a thread talking about how much I love a particular album, almost immediately somebody jumps up and says "If you like x, then you must absolutely immediately no waiting right now get out and kill anyone in your path to hear y." Sometimes I wish that things could just slow down for me, so that I could take the time to really absorb x, become familiar with it, and then later get to y.

Seconded. I blame the internet. More information and the ability to buy anything, anytime leads to less appreciation of what you acquire.

And they call it progress.

[Vince Kargatis]

I answered 'no', simply because i do relate the concept 'happy' with an overtly positive and joyful state, which would not describe my "average" emotional state, though I certainly occasionally enjoy it. "No" encompasses every other choice. Multiple values would certainly be more revealing, for whatever the poll's worth.

[Douglas]

FWIW and for those interested in such surveys, take a look here for a wealth of information.

[Tom Storer]

Originally Posted by Vince Kargatis

I answered 'no', simply because i do relate the concept 'happy' with an overtly positive and joyful state, which would not describe my "average" emotional state, though I certainly occasionally enjoy it. "No" encompasses every other choice.

"So, Lieutenant Spock, the poll choices reflect a binary configuration of emotional states, whereas your observation is that multiple emotional states are the norm??"

"Affirmative, Captain."

Just funnin' you.

[Gordon B]

Originally Posted by Captain Hate

Your taste in music has improved significantly.

Hasn't everybody's?