Do you believe people can just "choose" to be happy

[Minty]

I don't have anything to contribute. Just material to mock, I guess.

 

[MsBuzzkillington]

I really didn't see anyone mock you in here? Unless I am not reading back far enough.

 

[Ashiene]

You can choose to be positive, and happiness will come as a byproduct of that mindset.

 

[frogpetal]

yes... i do. more than AYTHING. BUT i don't fink know how to do it. I do but I get cut like loose from it again and can't get back easily... LikeI have physical disabylity to b happy, like my brain is stuck on auto defence and it turns against me....

 

[powerfulthoughts]

Pretty simple question - just wondering what your thoughts were...

My answer is yes. However, it is not as simple as "I am now happy," instead, it takes effort, and here is one way that I have had success at choosing to be happy.

The practice of meditation. This is being in a quiet place, and simply being silent. Your mind, thoughts, body, everything silent. Once you can stop the flow of all your thoughts(it may take practice and time), then you can start just being a witness to all surrounding things, without interpretation. Since our thoughts (both conscious and subconscious ) are the culprit of making us feel displeased, when you stop all thoughts in meditation, you can then learn to start letting new thoughts in, and change the direction of the flow to what you want. Its sort of like hitting the reset button on a computer.

It's about what is; not what it might be or could be.

This has been working for me. The less I think, the less emotion fills me up. And I can now choose which new thoughts to let in.

 

[hidwell]

I believe people can try to be happy. But alas circumstances often intervene.

 

[Agent_Violet]

I think in some cases,no,you can't choose to be happy...like when hormones are unbalanced.It's chemical.

In other cases, it's about choosing things to dwell on...a lot of people get stuck in that mode of "look at everything I DON'T have." when they could shift their way of thinking to , "Look at all the good things i have."

I see a lot of people who forget to be happy about the little things in life.

Example: my work commute is almost an hour of highways and traffic. But there's a small part in the morning that goes through an amazing country backroad...full of sunlight and honeysuckles and streams. It smells amazing, looks beautiful too.

Now, I can choose to be unhappy about spending so much time driving and frustrated about traffic OR i can choose to be happy that i get that little moment on this awesome road as part of my commute.

Make sense? Appreciate the little stuff and you'll be happier for it.

 

[polishgirl]

I think some people choose NOT to be happy. That's for sure. However, happiness is not attainable just like that, in a matter of seconds, but I do believe it mostly depends on the attitude. If you choose to accept yourself, your choices and be less critical of the world around you it is easier to achieve happiness.

 

[MikeyC]

In other cases, it's about choosing things to dwell on...a lot of people get stuck in that mode of "look at everything I DON'T have." when they could shift their way of thinking to , "Look at all the good things i have."

I am highly ashamed to admit that this is an area I need to work on.

 

[Agent_Violet]

I am highly ashamed to admit that this is an area I need to work on.

me too;-) It takes practice...i struggle with it daily but it does get easier.

 

[MikeyC]

me too;-) It takes practice...i struggle with it daily but it does get easier.

I hope so. I've caught myself many times dwelling on the greener grass on the other side rather than my own lawn, so I do need to shift my focus a bit. It's a constant struggle, like with you, but the fact that I'm aware that I'm doing it is a good start.

 

[Srijita52]

I hope so. I've caught myself many times dwelling on the greener grass on the other side rather than my own lawn, so I do need to shift my focus a bit. It's a constant struggle, like with you, but the fact that I'm aware that I'm doing it is a good start.

Same here. I really need to stop focusing on the things I don't have.

 

[Gaucho]

its in our hands to be happy, but we can only achieve it if our minds lets us, and if our mind does not want to contribute with his part, happiness will never be found. but if it makes us able to explore new things, surpass our fears, then we will experience moments of pure joy, fullfillness and finally happiness.