Does effort equal happiness?

Question

Why do we work so hard (and boast so loudly) for material things, when our heart aches for the things money can't buy? ie children,real love,being accepted for who you really are. Please don't slam my question, I really would like an answer...thank you..susan

Answer 1

When did the right of "the pursuit of happiness" become morphed into "The American Dream"?



I think the pursuit of things has made Americans the unhappiest people on earth.



To read how we have destroyed our children read: http://seekingalpha.com/article/103202-the-shallowest-generation?source=article_sb_commented

Answer 2

But money and power do get things you mentioned under unbuyable category.. though the ones got that way are shallow, hypocrytic or suffer some such blemish.. The attraction that money, status etc hold on the average man is natural.. Becos he gets some means of comforts and recognition thru wealth and power, he starts to believe that he can get anything that way.. The illusion does not spare even great men..



Scientists work hard for years on end to discover the mysteries of sorts.. the happiness they find in the final victory appears to justify the toils.. the humanity remembers them for the great benefits earned thru the findings.. This gives the seeker a fulfillment he could cherish for life..



Well. The finding of love etc are not entirely chance events.. they do need some effort as well.. when one is disappointed with his personal life also he or she may like to immerse in more toil to forget the losses on that count and show that he was not worthless after all, by the refusal of love &c..

Answer 3

G For happiness to be achieved, the effort must be based on a philosophy of life that includes material and non-material aspects with proper prioritization.

Daisaku Ikeda often refers to the writings of the 13th century Japanese Buddhist, Nichiren, who wrote that there are three kinds of treasure. The treasures of the storehouse- money etc, the treasures of the body-beauty, health and so on, and the treasures of the heart. The treasures of the heart are the most valuable of all. This is easy to understand. If a wealthy person is ill, there is no happiness. If a wealthy person is healthy and has confused priorities, ie Howard Hughes, there is no happiness. So the accumulation of treasures of the heart is the first priority followed by treasures of the body. The money is great, but has to be the third priority.

Answer 4

You are linking an action (effort) with one type of emotion (happiness) while some efforts could be hell as well (like a bonded labour working endlessly to his greedy master)..



But yes, effort can be equal to happiness in some situations.. the mother's selfless efforts to bring up the child (I am excepting those who engage nurses for the purpose) or a dedicated gardener raising the plants with love.. He is happy at every stage of the growth - much before they start to "perform".. A mother does not disown her child even if it is slow or deviant.. She puts all her willing efforts to make the child a better one!



For the suggestion that material pursuits do not achieve several things and hence do not deserve the efforts.. the answer is that the two belong different domains.. you need basic materials for normal living and support of the family.. but that the gifts of love, child etc have to be won thru other efforts falling under the mental plane.. By extending love we can attract the love of many.. by loving children we can be parents of endless cubs and rejoice in their innocent reciprocations..!



Even as physical efforts do not achieve all material things we like, so in the mental plane also we may not be loved by some whom we love or have our own kids to feel a ownership etc.. but then one has to go beyond these conditions to "own" or "find reciprocation" from all for all our sincere services and good will.. Unconditional love and service are divine and the efforts in the direction are more rewarding and sure to earn a fulfillment that elude conditional love..

Answer 5

I work so hard for material things like a roof over the head of my family, food on the table, utilities paid, and maybe a movie once in a while. We don't have many material things at all. Not even a car, nor do we own our home.



We do have a few thousand books though. And cable tv as well. And the internet.

Answer 6

The happiness is not in the prize, but in the journey that gets you there. Life is ephemeral, always passing by, so we can never hold on to anything we obtain, yet people miss this truth. People that make the material thing a goal in itself can never be happy because when they get it it never ceases to satisfy, so they go in pursuit of the next thing, and the next thing, and the next thing...



Being in the right moment, centered, and applying effort from there for a righteous reason is the only reason to celebrate and feel happy. Happiness is not a thing in itself, but a by product of achievement done with pure intent.

Answer 7

We live in a society that is saturated with stature, wealth and the materialistic and where spiritual values are secondary. That is the mainstream.



When people are walking around distracted with the latest this and that, and you have homeless people out there that you don't see, it's kind of profound.



I don't live my life by those standards and I make sure I point it out to people who are close to me that I see act that way. Without being accusatory of course.



Working hard is a good thing but we ought to be working hard so that the things money can't buy are protected.



I hope this kind of answers your question : )

Answer 8

Because, children, love, and acceptance aren't the only things that people want. We also want success. Some people just pursue success more than those other things. It's not that people don't truly want material things. Those things are a kind of measure of success. It's that we want everything. We want kids, love, acceptance, and success. You might not care that much for material things and success, but that is because women and men are wired differently. Ask your husband/boyfriend. I bet he would tell you that success is pretty important to a guy.

Answer 9

happiness will be contributed from distinctive existence dimensions including textile elements, relationship, fulfillment, social status, expertise, effect and power, leisure, religious element, sense (quite a few the 5 or all) pride or maybe success can do a section. If any of them became chuffed to a particular amplify that over shadow the incompleteness of existence, we sense happiness. maximum folk have tendency to conscious or concentration on quite a few the size even as others will require a multi-length pride or fulfillment in the previous they make sure that they are chuffed.

Answer 10

The most precious thing a man can give a woman is his heart, all the work is just a waste of time if that does not happen,and visa versa. be happy. :)))

Answer 11

I hardly think so. Effort is entirely unlike me. I like to use my intellect to avoid effort whimsically, and I feel quite happy.

Answer 12

No. Never has, never will! True happiness comes from the Lord.

Answer 13

"Happiness is a choice that requires effort at times."__AESCHYLUS

Answer 14

YES. WHY NOT!