Technology, namely the phones that are ubiquitous, are an impediment to happiness. People are happiest when fully investing themselves in activities that are not material in nature: talking to one another, fishing, gardening, involved in some hobby or passion. And then layering in the power of gratitude-- being grateful for the time involved in such activities.
Happiness and gratitude are inextricably linked. The more we cultivate an attitude of gratitude, the happier we will be. If we are always focused on what we want, but don't have, happiness will elude us, but to the extent we focus on the blessings and things we have, the happier we will be.
Great story, particularly in contrast to those who emphasize the 'manifest happyness by thought' escapists crowd. To be sure if happyness is found in the end, we would have to have proof, which is not possible, albeit to personal beliefs. In this context I would refer to the Myth of Er. However in the livable moments, if happiness exist, it is the twin of unhappiness. One extreme does not exist without its opposites from a duelist approach. Therefore I would say the happiest person finds the middle ground of contemptment.
...Brief comment here not possible...as a child on a farm, helping to pile hay on the hay wagon, it got stacked pretty high...crossing a ditch, the wagon overturned..the two farmers assumed I had leapt off and run to the farmhouse...not so...I was buried underneath the pile of hay! Thinking I would save my breath and not cry out, I heard pitch forks approaching at both sides...NEEDLESS to say, not a whimper became a SHOUT...got me pulled out...glad to be alive to share this story. I was no NEEDLE in that haystack. /jl
PS: Love the way the "old" is made "new" in your Classical Wisdom column.
I think being happy is relatable to being fulfilled. Being fulfilled should, therefore, not be attributed to material things. Rather, a state of mind which enables one to understand what one can and cannot control.
I have to disagree with Solon. The people he calls happy are not happy. They're dead. They feel nothing. Happiness, in my opinion, is a state of mind. I may not be happy tomorrow. I may come to a bad end. But right now, at this moment, I am happy.
Not knowing till one has died may be a way that others can judge the whole picture of a life’s happiness, but for each of us as individuals, I’d opine that one’s subjective experience while living is more important and - like beauty - happiness is in the eye of the beholder (individual subject). My guess is that on the average happiness is partly inborn temperament+health+autonomy+values+quality of relatedness+personal efficacy+social comparison among numerous other contributors.
That one statement solidified the truth, an eye opener. An ability to strive for a personal goal or attainment, a dream to fulfill an internal achievment against time and the vagaries of obstacles both controllable and uncontrollable of one's own making and those another's making. Fulfilled, complete, success. Happy imho.
Interesting essay. I think we need to be careful about the word happiness. The meaning of happiness (or lack of it) to Herodotus is necessarily different than that of the under-thirtys in present day America. For the latter the unhappiness is brought on, for many, by job ,money and social pressures which have been increasing over the last few decades. Solon, in the words of Herodotus, is referring to the worth of one's life. But we also have to remember that he wrote in ancient Greek, and the word "olbios" is not an exact match for "happy" in English. And also, of course, the difference in the points of view of Solon and Creon, at least at the start of the story. For me, happiness is a matter of moving forward towards a worthwhile goal, but this is personal, and each of us will have their own definition.
It is a great method of the so called wise to never comment on what a person is doing in the past or the present but rather ensure if the past and present is of good behavior then to ensure he or she keeps it up than the final decision at death seals the deal. May be a bit of a cop out but probably works. You just have to be a good person to the end. No big deal. The wagon that takes you to your final resting place does not have luggage racks.
Being happy, of having feelings of happiness, has dependencies we must first recognize as the happiness of others. The coy smile of an infant can make the hardest heart leap with joy, that is happiness recognized, but if not embraced and discarded than the heart is truly void of happiness.
I agree that gratitude is key to contentment, and when I'm content I feel good. And if I'm grateful, strive for an excellent character, and am content for the majority of my day/life - than Solon would likely deem me happy. For me, the word "happiness" seems to be more of a mood and a feeling than a permanent state. For example, I feel happy in the morning when my kittens are playing on my lap, or I'm happy to see someone I love after a long absence. Surges of feelings in the moment. Living joyfully, appreciating and accepting all moments - happy or otherwise - is probably a better long term descriptor for me than happiness :)
I grew up “poor”, but never knew it- until exposure to how other people think baffled me.
Then did a military career, married, 3 kids- one of which drank themself to death. Recovered from that, administered his estate, am guardian for his minor daughter- blah blah.
You never know what life will throw at you. Some stoic calm and carry on.
Only at the end can a full evaluation be done.
Make wise choices, and life goes better, but there can be no guarantee of “happiness”, other than the stoic sense of “amor fati”.
No way, this is a great lesson! Not only because of the fact of waiting to the End; the thing is it depends on what you consider happiness or what makes you happy. Obviously, things you can not buy with money!!These are the "things"!! ..Let's keep it simple!!
Technology, namely the phones that are ubiquitous, are an impediment to happiness. People are happiest when fully investing themselves in activities that are not material in nature: talking to one another, fishing, gardening, involved in some hobby or passion. And then layering in the power of gratitude-- being grateful for the time involved in such activities.
I think you are definitely right about that - sadly it’s hard to get away from the phones today
Happiness and gratitude are inextricably linked. The more we cultivate an attitude of gratitude, the happier we will be. If we are always focused on what we want, but don't have, happiness will elude us, but to the extent we focus on the blessings and things we have, the happier we will be.
Well said!
Great story, particularly in contrast to those who emphasize the 'manifest happyness by thought' escapists crowd. To be sure if happyness is found in the end, we would have to have proof, which is not possible, albeit to personal beliefs. In this context I would refer to the Myth of Er. However in the livable moments, if happiness exist, it is the twin of unhappiness. One extreme does not exist without its opposites from a duelist approach. Therefore I would say the happiest person finds the middle ground of contemptment.
...Brief comment here not possible...as a child on a farm, helping to pile hay on the hay wagon, it got stacked pretty high...crossing a ditch, the wagon overturned..the two farmers assumed I had leapt off and run to the farmhouse...not so...I was buried underneath the pile of hay! Thinking I would save my breath and not cry out, I heard pitch forks approaching at both sides...NEEDLESS to say, not a whimper became a SHOUT...got me pulled out...glad to be alive to share this story. I was no NEEDLE in that haystack. /jl
PS: Love the way the "old" is made "new" in your Classical Wisdom column.
Wow! What a story!!! Glad the shout came!
Thanks; life really is worth living :-)
Very beautiful piece!
I think being happy is relatable to being fulfilled. Being fulfilled should, therefore, not be attributed to material things. Rather, a state of mind which enables one to understand what one can and cannot control.
The state of mind is both key and easier said than done!
I certainly feel happy.
I have to disagree with Solon. The people he calls happy are not happy. They're dead. They feel nothing. Happiness, in my opinion, is a state of mind. I may not be happy tomorrow. I may come to a bad end. But right now, at this moment, I am happy.
The shape of that curve on the graph is very interesting. Suggests to me that the so called “empty nest” is an underrated source of joy.
Not knowing till one has died may be a way that others can judge the whole picture of a life’s happiness, but for each of us as individuals, I’d opine that one’s subjective experience while living is more important and - like beauty - happiness is in the eye of the beholder (individual subject). My guess is that on the average happiness is partly inborn temperament+health+autonomy+values+quality of relatedness+personal efficacy+social comparison among numerous other contributors.
"Count no man happy until the end is known".
That one statement solidified the truth, an eye opener. An ability to strive for a personal goal or attainment, a dream to fulfill an internal achievment against time and the vagaries of obstacles both controllable and uncontrollable of one's own making and those another's making. Fulfilled, complete, success. Happy imho.
I like that - that happiness is in the eye of the beholder
Desire is the cause of alot of unhappiness.
Very true - it's something addressed a lot in Buddhism.
Interesting essay. I think we need to be careful about the word happiness. The meaning of happiness (or lack of it) to Herodotus is necessarily different than that of the under-thirtys in present day America. For the latter the unhappiness is brought on, for many, by job ,money and social pressures which have been increasing over the last few decades. Solon, in the words of Herodotus, is referring to the worth of one's life. But we also have to remember that he wrote in ancient Greek, and the word "olbios" is not an exact match for "happy" in English. And also, of course, the difference in the points of view of Solon and Creon, at least at the start of the story. For me, happiness is a matter of moving forward towards a worthwhile goal, but this is personal, and each of us will have their own definition.
It is a great method of the so called wise to never comment on what a person is doing in the past or the present but rather ensure if the past and present is of good behavior then to ensure he or she keeps it up than the final decision at death seals the deal. May be a bit of a cop out but probably works. You just have to be a good person to the end. No big deal. The wagon that takes you to your final resting place does not have luggage racks.
Being happy, of having feelings of happiness, has dependencies we must first recognize as the happiness of others. The coy smile of an infant can make the hardest heart leap with joy, that is happiness recognized, but if not embraced and discarded than the heart is truly void of happiness.
I agree that gratitude is key to contentment, and when I'm content I feel good. And if I'm grateful, strive for an excellent character, and am content for the majority of my day/life - than Solon would likely deem me happy. For me, the word "happiness" seems to be more of a mood and a feeling than a permanent state. For example, I feel happy in the morning when my kittens are playing on my lap, or I'm happy to see someone I love after a long absence. Surges of feelings in the moment. Living joyfully, appreciating and accepting all moments - happy or otherwise - is probably a better long term descriptor for me than happiness :)
I think finding and appreciating small moments of joy is so critical! Very Epicurean...
I agree with Solon and the other commenters.
I grew up “poor”, but never knew it- until exposure to how other people think baffled me.
Then did a military career, married, 3 kids- one of which drank themself to death. Recovered from that, administered his estate, am guardian for his minor daughter- blah blah.
You never know what life will throw at you. Some stoic calm and carry on.
Only at the end can a full evaluation be done.
Make wise choices, and life goes better, but there can be no guarantee of “happiness”, other than the stoic sense of “amor fati”.
No way, this is a great lesson! Not only because of the fact of waiting to the End; the thing is it depends on what you consider happiness or what makes you happy. Obviously, things you can not buy with money!!These are the "things"!! ..Let's keep it simple!!