Comments on: Do you overemphasize happiness? http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2010/01/14/do-you-overemphasize-happiness/ Advice at the intersection of work and life Fri, 30 Jul 2010 13:23:40 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc By: Accidentally in Code » Priorities and Next Steps http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2010/01/14/do-you-overemphasize-happiness/comment-page-4/#comment-229230 Accidentally in Code » Priorities and Next Steps Tue, 29 Jun 2010 12:13:30 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/?p=4649#comment-229230 [...] I left Edinburgh to be a nomad, I prioritized an interesting life and being interesting myself (Penelope Trunk on an interesting vs a happy life). Arriving in Ottawa, I was lost, but my theme evolved to making change, or being the change I want [...] [...] I left Edinburgh to be a nomad, I prioritized an interesting life and being interesting myself (Penelope Trunk on an interesting vs a happy life). Arriving in Ottawa, I was lost, but my theme evolved to making change, or being the change I want [...]

]]> By: John DeMeo http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2010/01/14/do-you-overemphasize-happiness/comment-page-4/#comment-227584 John DeMeo Sun, 09 May 2010 07:43:25 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/?p=4649#comment-227584 Happiness is a state of mind. It is not something to be achieved, it is not some kind of exotic fruit that you have to taste in order to find it. Some people find happiness in the simplicity of their everyday lives and some people does not find happiness even when their lives are full of challenges and interesting things. Most people find such kind of life empty and depressing. Anyone can find fulfillment and challenge in everyday life, if he shows enough interest in his own life. Acceptance of your own limitations and living your life within your limitations will not limit the challenges, but it will give you contentment and happiness. Achievers are seldom happy. They are always in pursuit of something beyond their grasp. They are always interested in something that challenges their abilities. They are never content, and seldom have a personal or family life. They cannot live a simple life. They always have something to do, something to find out, something to experience. That is their life, that is their choice. Life is about choices, true. And happiness is one of the choices offered to us in life. It is up to us to make the choice, but we can’t have everything! Happiness is a state of mind. It is not something to be achieved, it is not some kind of
exotic fruit that you have to taste in order to find it. Some people find happiness in the
simplicity of their everyday lives and some people does not find happiness even when
their lives are full of challenges and interesting things. Most people find such kind of life
empty and depressing.

Anyone can find fulfillment and challenge in everyday life, if he shows enough interest
in his own life. Acceptance of your own limitations and living your life within your
limitations will not limit the challenges, but it will give you contentment and happiness.

Achievers are seldom happy. They are always in pursuit of something beyond their grasp.
They are always interested in something that challenges their abilities. They are never
content, and seldom have a personal or family life. They cannot live a simple life. They
always have something to do, something to find out, something to experience. That is
their life, that is their choice.

Life is about choices, true. And happiness is one of the choices offered to us in life. It is
up to us to make the choice, but we can’t have everything!

]]> By: Happiness is Jumping the Groove « FeelingElephants's Weblog http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2010/01/14/do-you-overemphasize-happiness/comment-page-4/#comment-223532 Happiness is Jumping the Groove « FeelingElephants's Weblog Thu, 11 Mar 2010 20:43:16 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/?p=4649#comment-223532 [...] is Jumping the Groove Filed under: CMU-Qatar — Webmonarch @ 11:43 pm Even if Penelope Trunk has stopped talking about happiness research, I am still interested in figuring out what makes me happy. I got a big hint when I took the [...] [...] is Jumping the Groove Filed under: CMU-Qatar — Webmonarch @ 11:43 pm Even if Penelope Trunk has stopped talking about happiness research, I am still interested in figuring out what makes me happy. I got a big hint when I took the [...]

]]> By: Are We Half Awake in a Fake Empire? « The Forum http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2010/01/14/do-you-overemphasize-happiness/comment-page-4/#comment-223319 Are We Half Awake in a Fake Empire? « The Forum Wed, 10 Mar 2010 18:03:43 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/?p=4649#comment-223319 [...] A post by career blogger Penelope Trunk proposes  that the goal of achieving happiness maybe overrated. This is a novel thought for me. Trunk upholds that she would rather have an interesting life than a happy one and sets up the two ideals up in opposition to one another. She has lived in both New York City and Madison, WI, and uses the two locations to draw a comparison between living an interesting life and a happy one. Trunk characterizes people from New York as people seeking interesting lives. New York provides the choices necessary to have a diverse and exciting life, and those who choose to live in New York do so because they would rather have a varied life than a happy one. Wisconsin, on the other hand, is the land of contentment. It may not have the limitless opportunities present in the Big Apple, but your average Wisconsinite isn’t looking for that. As Trunk says, “People live in Wisconsin because the lifestyle is easy– family is here, personal history is here, things generally are fine. Nothing is fine in NYC. It’s very challenging. Every single day.” Being from Wisconsin myself, I am used to debunking falsehoods about my home state. I wish I could disagree with what Penelope Trunk said, but her logic rings true. Before you write me off as a simple-minded Midwesterner, however, you should know that I was born in Newport Beach, grew up in Madison, went to boarding school in Massachusetts, and now have returned to California.  I have a broad understanding of a multitude of lifestyles but as embarrassing as it is to say, I would forsake an interesting life if, as Trunk suggests, it stood opposed to the possibility of a happy one. Don’t get me wrong, I am exhilarated by the limitless possibilities of the big city, but I also feel a visceral loneliness when presented with such a vast array of forking roads and diverging tunnels. [...] [...] A post by career blogger Penelope Trunk proposes  that the goal of achieving happiness maybe overrated. This is a novel thought for me. Trunk upholds that she would rather have an interesting life than a happy one and sets up the two ideals up in opposition to one another. She has lived in both New York City and Madison, WI, and uses the two locations to draw a comparison between living an interesting life and a happy one. Trunk characterizes people from New York as people seeking interesting lives. New York provides the choices necessary to have a diverse and exciting life, and those who choose to live in New York do so because they would rather have a varied life than a happy one. Wisconsin, on the other hand, is the land of contentment. It may not have the limitless opportunities present in the Big Apple, but your average Wisconsinite isn't looking for that. As Trunk says, "People live in Wisconsin because the lifestyle is easy– family is here, personal history is here, things generally are fine. Nothing is fine in NYC. It's very challenging. Every single day." Being from Wisconsin myself, I am used to debunking falsehoods about my home state. I wish I could disagree with what Penelope Trunk said, but her logic rings true. Before you write me off as a simple-minded Midwesterner, however, you should know that I was born in Newport Beach, grew up in Madison, went to boarding school in Massachusetts, and now have returned to California.  I have a broad understanding of a multitude of lifestyles but as embarrassing as it is to say, I would forsake an interesting life if, as Trunk suggests, it stood opposed to the possibility of a happy one. Don't get me wrong, I am exhilarated by the limitless possibilities of the big city, but I also feel a visceral loneliness when presented with such a vast array of forking roads and diverging tunnels. [...]

]]> By: Jeremy http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2010/01/14/do-you-overemphasize-happiness/comment-page-4/#comment-223250 Jeremy Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:33:58 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/?p=4649#comment-223250 I believe to find happiness you must know the purpose of life first, which most people don't know. Most people live life to grow, work, start family, make money and die, if that is all your purpose of life then you wont find happiness as life will be too monotonic. I find the purpose of life in the bible, well explained in a book called "What does the Bible Really Teach" published by the Watchtower organization but not for sale and i am not selling you anything here. I believe to find happiness you must know the purpose of life first, which most people don't know. Most people live life to grow, work, start family, make money and die, if that is all your purpose of life then you wont find happiness as life will be too monotonic. I find the purpose of life in the bible, well explained in a book called "What does the Bible Really Teach" published by the Watchtower organization but not for sale and i am not selling you anything here.

]]> By: Simon L http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2010/01/14/do-you-overemphasize-happiness/comment-page-4/#comment-222494 Simon L Thu, 04 Mar 2010 17:08:01 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/?p=4649#comment-222494 To me, to be happy or not to be happy is a personal choice. I've learnt that I can achieve happiness or contentment in any given moment by not sweating the small stuff, by not giving too much attention to others' opinions about how I should live my life, by listening to my own inner emotional guidance and always trying to find relief to make me feel better than the moment before in any given awkward situation. To me, to be happy or not to be happy is a personal choice. I've learnt that I can achieve happiness or contentment in any given moment by not sweating the small stuff, by not giving too much attention to others' opinions about how I should live my life, by listening to my own inner emotional guidance and always trying to find relief to make me feel better than the moment before in any given awkward situation.

]]> By: Chris http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2010/01/14/do-you-overemphasize-happiness/comment-page-4/#comment-222242 Chris Wed, 03 Mar 2010 16:05:11 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/?p=4649#comment-222242 I think the biggest variable, is peoples perception of happiness. People in Wisconsin may be happier than New Yorkers because of their surroundings. People in country areas tend to be happier with less personal belongings than people from cities do. In the cities, it's all about money; everywhere you look, people are making money and spending money, so you are trained to believe that is what is most important. I think the biggest variable, is peoples perception of happiness. People in Wisconsin may be happier than New Yorkers because of their surroundings. People in country areas tend to be happier with less personal belongings than people from cities do. In the cities, it's all about money; everywhere you look, people are making money and spending money, so you are trained to believe that is what is most important.

]]> By: Jobs » Blog Archive » Mindfulness makes you more productive http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2010/01/14/do-you-overemphasize-happiness/comment-page-4/#comment-222058 Jobs » Blog Archive » Mindfulness makes you more productive Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:05:06 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/?p=4649#comment-222058 [...] in the midst of dumping my happiness obsession for something else, but I wonder what is the key to a good life if I’m giving up on happiness? I thought maybe it [...] [...] in the midst of dumping my happiness obsession for something else, but I wonder what is the key to a good life if I’m giving up on happiness? I thought maybe it [...]

]]> By: Hari Luker http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2010/01/14/do-you-overemphasize-happiness/comment-page-4/#comment-222011 Hari Luker Tue, 02 Mar 2010 18:26:12 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/?p=4649#comment-222011 Again, what do we mean by happiness? I'm happy right now. I'm in my favorite chair. Music is playing on my new sound system. I had a burrito for lunch. But is my every dream fulfilled? Hardly. Am I happy? at the moment yes. Again, what do we mean by happiness? I'm happy right now. I'm in my favorite chair. Music is playing on my new sound system. I had a burrito for lunch. But is my every dream fulfilled? Hardly. Am I happy? at the moment yes.

]]> By: Al G http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2010/01/14/do-you-overemphasize-happiness/comment-page-4/#comment-221971 Al G Tue, 02 Mar 2010 14:40:51 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/?p=4649#comment-221971 I was always amazed by people who just seem to float through life receiving all the blessing and seeming to always fall into lucky situations. I had friends that were already well off win the lottery, or hit it big in Vegas or land incredible jobs. Their cups seemed to always overflow and I marveled at their accomplishments. It had nothing to do with education. It was not a matter of being "connected" and knowing the right person. There was one defining pattern in all these people...it was their attitude. Never did I hear them complain or worry (out loud for that matter). They always expected the best to happen and it did. Even when bad times fell on them, I found them always in good spirits and like clockwork, everything that they seemed to loose was restored back and then some. Then it began to dawn on me that we as a society always focus on the results thinking they come in absence of something else. That sounds like such an absurd statement, but how many of you believe today that you will be happy after you make a lot of money. Or you will believe you can accomplish something after you do it. Or my personal favorite, "I'll believe it when I see it." The truth is there is no such thing as luck, everybody makes their own luck, good or bad. Things only happen when you believe they can happen. How many times, have I heard people say "I can't do it" or "It will never happen to me." Well they are absolutely right. If they expect they can't, then they won't. I am not saying, believing will bring you an instant victory. Much like when we all learned to ride bikes as children, we fell over and maybe skinned our knees. The difference in believing "you can" will make you try again instead of walking away and accepting defeat. Mistakes and setbacks are just a part of the learning process...learn from them and they will never happen again. I have come to the conclusion that there is no such thing as coincidences. We live in a world of constant cause and effect and it is no coincidence that people who think positive have positive things happen to them. Just as well, people who think negative thoughts have negative things happen to them. Problem is many people just do not know that they are doing it to themselves. If they took the time to monitor their thoughts, they would be amazed to see there was no coincidence in the outcomes at all. True happiness is within everyone's grasp. Skeptical? So was I, till it started to work...Honestly, what do you have to lose? I was always amazed by people who just seem to float through life receiving all the blessing and seeming to always fall into lucky situations. I had friends that were already well off win the lottery, or hit it big in Vegas or land incredible jobs. Their cups seemed to always overflow and I marveled at their accomplishments. It had nothing to do with education. It was not a matter of being "connected" and knowing the right person. There was one defining pattern in all these people…it was their attitude.

Never did I hear them complain or worry (out loud for that matter). They always expected the best to happen and it did. Even when bad times fell on them, I found them always in good spirits and like clockwork, everything that they seemed to loose was restored back and then some.

Then it began to dawn on me that we as a society always focus on the results thinking they come in absence of something else. That sounds like such an absurd statement, but how many of you believe today that you will be happy after you make a lot of money. Or you will believe you can accomplish something after you do it. Or my personal favorite, "I'll believe it when I see it." The truth is there is no such thing as luck, everybody makes their own luck, good or bad. Things only happen when you believe they can happen.

How many times, have I heard people say "I can't do it" or "It will never happen to me." Well they are absolutely right. If they expect they can't, then they won't. I am not saying, believing will bring you an instant victory. Much like when we all learned to ride bikes as children, we fell over and maybe skinned our knees. The difference in believing "you can" will make you try again instead of walking away and accepting defeat. Mistakes and setbacks are just a part of the learning process…learn from them and they will never happen again.

I have come to the conclusion that there is no such thing as coincidences. We live in a world of constant cause and effect and it is no coincidence that people who think positive have positive things happen to them. Just as well, people who think negative thoughts have negative things happen to them. Problem is many people just do not know that they are doing it to themselves. If they took the time to monitor their thoughts, they would be amazed to see there was no coincidence in the outcomes at all. True happiness is within everyone's grasp.

Skeptical? So was I, till it started to work…Honestly, what do you have to lose?

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