Happiness

"Nothing is under our control except the way we think about things. Natural disasters, social upheavals, wars, revolutions, outbreaks of disease, rising crime rates—all happen as a result of either accidental or highly complicated causes. Our happiness should not depend on their not taking place. We cannot alter external circumstances, but we can decide not to feel negatively about them." (p.340)

I really like this quote from the section on stoicism in the text that explains the stoics view on responding positively to suffering. I truly believe this to be true, that we as humans don't have control over the vast majority of calamities and unfortunate events that befall our life. If we know this is just something that happens we can change our attitude on it and find a positive outlook in most situations to be able to move forward in life. For example if an earthquake destroys your house or a tree branch falling breaks your car you can say, "at least I'm alive", or, "it could be worse". Stoicism doesn't solve all problems and doesn't necessarily help with the pain of the initial tragedy but it can defiantly help you move on in life so you can do your best to move forward. However I do believe somethings to be so devastating that it would be hard to move on from such as a lover or child dying from unnatural causes. In such cases it would be almost impossible to immediately move on as I believe some things can only heal with time.

"In identifying happiness with any particular state or possession, we could always think of something else that would be even better and therefore our life could be more happy at that moment. Just as Einstein told the world that at the speed of light, time stops, so too can it be said that in a state of complete happiness, desire and need stop." (p.344)

I really like the statements made in the text by Aristotle's view on happiness and this quote as a whole. I truly believe and have stated this in previous posts that you have to learn to be happy with little or at least appreciate the little things or you will never be satisfied or happy. I think that, especially now with how consumer heavy everyone is, that most people expect too much in life and when they cant get every new thing or a dozen new bags, games, etc. then they feel as if they are poor or have nothing. Personally I find myself feeling like this from time to time especially with social media always showing me every new thing that comes out almost on a weekly basis. However if we take Aristotle's view on happiness we can find happiness in less and lead a much more fulfilling life without the need for excess greed or want.

 "It developed first, and its purpose was to formulate the teachings of Siddhartha into a systematic practice of the Four Noble Truths, which are 1. life is filled with pain 2. the cause of pain is frustrated desire 3. there is a way out of pain 4. the way out is the Eightfold Path" (p.350)

I really like Buddhists teachings regarding to happiness and finding ways to be content in life. I don't follow the religious teachings of Buddhism such as reincarnation and things of that nature, however I do believe in things like Karma and the Noble truths. I like the steps that Buddhists take to make peace with themselves while not deluding themselves with nonsensical religious beliefs. For example they believe that all life has pain and the cause of pain is frustrated desires such as not getting enough sleep or enough to eat can be a cause for frustration and therefore pain. They also teach that there are many ways to cope with such frustrations and by extension, ways to cope with the pain that is inherit with living a life on earth. For example one way is through meditation or what I would call prayer where you can take a break from the world and clear your mind with a simple routine that you can do daily.

Janaro & Altshuler, The Art of Being Human - The Humanities as a Technique for Living 11th Edition, Pearson 2016