HARMONY
What is happiness, and the main obstacle to reaching it?
The question is possibly not even relevant. Happiness seems to wax and wane according to any number of variables. What seems a more appropriate objective, then, is to somehow dismantle what separates us from our natural, joyous state. Even speaking about "reaching" something implies that it lies outside of us and definitely gives the impression that something needs to be 'done' to get there. Of course we know the words, "It's not about 'doing', it's about 'being'". But how does that translate into real life?
Perhaps we can agree that the natural state is evidenced in small children who are content simply to "be" as long as they are fed and secure. If I am fed and have a roof over my head, all that separates me from my original state of wellbeing ("happiness") is what is going on in my mind. Unhappiness is spawned by a gap appearing between what actually IS and what expectations (overt or covert) we have. Jill Bolte Taylor's experience of a stroke in her left hemisphere illustrated this point. Her mental chatter disappeared along with the devastation to her language centre and she was immediately awash with joy at existence itself. Such is the promise of the right hemisphere, if only it is given a chance to express itself. Since we can't survive without a functioning left hemisphere, we need to tame its tendencies to dominate our lives. In particular, we need to protect ourselves from the fear-invoking world around us. I can only speak from personal experience, of course. I have found that kinaesthetic awareness, which is a fancy way of speaking about consciously feeling the body using the sensory system, is the most effective method of managing a learned tendency to over-think. I return to the present moment as many times a day as I can. I also stand guard over my thoughts. When I see a negativity forming I actively nip it in the bud. For me it's very easy for a wish to become a source of negativity because judgement acts a default (habitual neuronal pathway). In addition, I think of my right hemisphere as being my inner child and I exercise kindness to her wherever possible. That means everything from repeating, mantra-like, "It's all good", even when things look wrong, to giving her spontaneous treats such as leaping about in the ocean on a beautiful afternoon such as it was yesterday, even though I know it will probably mean that supper will be delayed and the children will get to bed late!   | | |
It is a state of mind and self doubt is the biggest obstacle.
Happiness is appreciating what you have got and knowing what is important in life.
Be happy today, not hoping for happiness tomorrow, or after you have achieved what you think you need for happiness.
I think the main obstacle to reaching happiness is we don't even recognize it anymore. We are so scheduled and keep running on that treadmill of life and we forget to really enjoy it.
Unplug and go outside, rejuvenate your senses, eat healthy, go to a retreat or wherever you need to go to get away. Then when you come home make a list of those things that get in your way.
We all still have to do laundry, and check our e-mail, etc. Life is full of responsibilities but the biggest responsibility you have to yourself and your family and friends is to live your life, and be happy. Figure out what is important, or even prioritize if you need to and then just drop the dead weight.
It is not easy but most things in life that aren't easy are worth the effort!
Happiness is accepting and loving oneself for who you are. With all one's faults or inabilities self love is the strongest resource to happiness. Understanding that everything truly does happen for a reason even if what has happened is horrific there is a greater purpose and we learn through every obstacle and challenge put before us. We need these lessons to reach a higher plane of existence and TRUE harmony!
Happiness - I would rather call joy - it is the state of knowing oneself to be completely safe, and loved. The main obstacle to reaching it is lack of self love.
Love, honesty with yourself and with others. The main obstacle: Yourself.
It is subjective, for me is feel good no matter where I'm or the event I'm in but spec. not worry. The main human obstacles are those we give ourselves cos we worry to much to "try" to change something as we worry to reaching happiness cos after... what else? But we always forget that reaching it, is an action and gives consequences and new ways to find it or more... is a continue walk... you just need to make the first steps... to try.
It's our natural state. So the main obstacle is - not being your natural you.
Neighbors. We would be happy playing with a rock in a cave if that’s what everyone else did. People need to focus more on what they have. This is not to say encouragement isn’t welcome.
Happiness is doing what you really like to do and that is useful and harmless for you and others. The main obstacle to reach it is our prejudiced mind and expecting too much too soon. "My father told me that we are always happy, but we don't notice that" is a line in Woody Allen's film "Shadows and Fog".
Happiness is a sensation that one feels whereby one is content with the "now" and the main obstacle in reaching it are the blocks that we ourselves put up. Do we deserve it, can we attain it, is there more.....are some of the ongoing questions we ask...and in reality many times it's simply right inside us.
Happiness is a here and now view of the beauty and perfection of life! Fear and worry are two of the biggest obstacles because they never let you be in the here and now.
4) I always remember that I have everything I need to enjoy my here
and now--unless I am letting my consciousness be dominated by demands
and expectations based on the dead past or the imagined future.
http://heartspace1.ning.com/profiles/blogs/awareness-and-t (...)
I have no idea what happiness is, but I can see lots of obstacles. One prevalent one is not knowing when to mind one's own business and when to mind someone else's. If I see a dog tied up in someone's yard in the hot summer sun, with no water bowl around, you can bet I'm going to knock on that someone's door and say "give your dog some water!" because that dog cannot speak for itself. On the other hand, a four-week-old fetus is a speck of cellular matter, and is only a baby, a human being, to those who planned and want it. It is none of anyone else's business. People who want to tell you how to have sex, or what religion to believe, or that you're going to hell if you don't do it their way, must be profoundly unhappy.
I truly believe that happiness comes from inner peace through finding one's own "god" from connection to Nature. Connection meaning at one with, not separate from. We are part of the Earth, not walking on it.
The main obstacle is looking outward to acquisition and greed. This reflects an inner emptiness, which cannot be filled by objects, or by other people. Fear and Love are polar opposites. Everyone comes from one of these motivators
Happiness is Consciousness Alignment with your Sacred Self and the main obstacle is Unconsciousness through wounding and interference.
Happiness is wanting what you have and feeling grateful for the lessons that life brings you now.
In our society, we are trained to want something more or something else which leaves us feeling empty inside or incomplete and never satisfied. I have a hard time with this one myself. Meditation helps me to get clear on what the obstacles are which is the first step to letting go (of things we never really had in the first place). I am at my happiest when I can accept myself as being complete and whole person without having to look outside myself. |
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