If 10 different people were asked if they were happy, there is the possibility of getting a positive answer. The majority of people believe that a happy person encounters more positive life experiences than negative life experiences. This is also means that each individual has their own way of defining happiness (Khoddam 1). This paper will discuss two approaches to happiness by two different individuals to include McMahon and comments received from the Dalai Lama when interviewed by Dr. Howard Cutler.
McMahon asks a very serious question at the very beginning of the article “Doesn’t every American want to be happy?” This is basically a truth as most people strive to be happy. This is the reason for going to work, having a family, and celebrating the holidays. But even with the gain of material possessions the author believes that people are no happier today than they were centuries ago. With people finding the need to buy self-help books in order to find ways to be happy it appears that the process is not working. One of the best ways to ensure some type of happiness is to place focus on others versus giving full attention to one’s own happiness. Being concerned with others allows one to become unselfish with a joy that comes from within enabling personal happiness.
Dr. Howard Cutler had the pleasure of meeting the Dalai Lama while visiting India to study Tibetan medicine. When Dr. Cutler asked the Dalai Lama to discuss ‘desire’ relative to the individual the Dalai Lama’s answer was simple as he stated some desires are positive and other desires are sometimes unreasonable. And while Dr. Cutler believed that as long as an individual could afford to buy something that made him/her happy it was completely right to perform that action, the Dalai Lama believed that concern should not just be given to the immediate feeling but the long term consequences of the action. This is definitely a statement to think about even today.
Happiness is based upon the belief of the individual. No matter what is said or heard, people make the decision to believe as they choose. One quote that really gives meaning to happiness was spoken by Frederick Keonig who was a German inventor who created the high speed printing press. He stated that “We tend to forget that happiness doesn’t come as a result of getting something we don’t have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have” (Scuderi, 1).
Works Cited
Khoddam, Rubin. "What's Your Definition of Happiness?" Www.psychologytoday.com. N.p., 16 June 2015. Web. 21 June 2016.
Scuderi, Royale. "20 Motivational Quotes about Life That Lead to True Happiness." Www.lifehack.org. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 June 2016.
