Comments on: Warning! Being Happy Is Dangerous For Your Mind, Body, & Soul

By: ellen3546

ellen3546 — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 02:29:46 +0000

This is totally a creative opinion. As we think everyone is pursuing a happy life.

By: Being Happy - it’s all in the mind | Your Life Coach

Being Happy - it’s all in the mind | Your Life Coach — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 13:38:12 +0000

[...] Alex Shalman reckons that being happy can be dangerous! [...]

By: Purposed Productivity and Meaningful Happiness | WHAKATE

Purposed Productivity and Meaningful Happiness | WHAKATE — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 08:14:59 +0000

[...] Warning! Being Happy Is Dangerous For Your Mind, Body, & Soul [...]

By: Marisa

Marisa — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 14:27:26 +0000

I don’t understand why people are so anti-happiness. Maybe their definition of happiness is different than mine. My goal is to be happy. Now let me give you my definition of happiness. When I am happy, I can do no harm. When I am happy, I cannot be selfish. When I am happy, I want the whole to be happy. I just want to give and share my happiness with everyone. When I am happy, I feel the connection with God. The feeling is so great, it is indescribable. This kind of happiness never come from material things. It just can’t. I wish this kind of happiness for everyone. I think most people have a misconception about happiness. True happiness come from loving, giving, and sharing. This is just my personal view on happiness.

By: Yuriy Bortnik

Yuriy Bortnik — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 02:56:50 +0000

Its very true that happiness is a means, not an end, and forcing ourselves to chase this particular castle in the sky truly can be dangerous, especially when all the light is within to begin with.
A vintage Jewish train of thought regarding day to day life.

By: Richard X. Thripp

Richard X. Thripp — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 01:42:01 +0000

Wow! This is exactly what I had in mind when I wrote How to Be Happy. Making happiness the goal is like eating a cake that’s all icing. It makes you sick.

“To operate with the greatest good of all in mind” is a worthy goal, which I aspire to myself. How would it work if you changed it to “to operate with my greatest happiness in mind”? Not very well, I can tell you that. Working for the greatest good will bring you the most happiness, because happiness is always a means, not an end. It can’t be accessed directly. I’m glad you’re opening peoples minds to this.

By: Julie Newman

Julie Newman — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 22:56:53 +0000

Hi Alex!

But if you keep thinking you want to be happy or keep noticing that you are happy, there must be some sort of contrast within your life – situations that make you unhappy. White is never more whiter than when placed beside black.

Thanks for commenting back .

By: Alex Shalman

Alex Shalman — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 14:48:28 +0000

@Julie Newman — Thanks for your comment! I disagree with you. I don’t think that not noticing your happiness is a prerequisite to being happy. I just got out of reaction cycling (spin) class and was totally immersed in Endorphins driving home, very clearly aware of my happiness.

I think as humans, it is our ability to self-actualize that allows us to enjoy happiness regardless of the circumstances surrounding us.

I do agree that it’s possible to be happy without even noticing, such as we are in a state of flow, or just really involved in the moment.

By: Julie Newman

Julie Newman — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 14:24:59 +0000

I’ve always said my goal was to be happy, this post contradicts it all but I understand the point of it. Being happy just for the sake of being able to say you’re happy is not real happiness. It’s when you don’t notice that you are happy that you really and truly are happy. Does that make sense?

Thanks for the good read.

By: Mahmudur

Mahmudur — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 11:30:57 +0000

This is natural. Happiness is a journey. And in this journey you will find lots of ups and downs. As it is a nature of life. Cultivate your life with your heart and soul. The ultimate goal is to reach the other side of the life together. And by this way, you could happily reach your destination. Enjoy life. This is yours…

http://dewdropofjupiter.blogspot.com/2008/09/let-me-answer-questions-of-happiness.html

By: Adam

Adam — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 16:03:33 +0000

I like it, “happiness is an asset”..

What happens when in the pursuit of happiness you take away from the happiness of others, or your pursuit makes you unable to be a functional member of society?

By: Mental Perception

Mental Perception — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 15:43:53 +0000

This article is sooo true. I am now sending you the power of happiness, prosperity, and love.

Mental Perception

By: Alex Shalman

Alex Shalman — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 17:26:02 +0000

I have a lot of goals, and happiness isn’t one of them. Of course I like being happy, and do things in order to promote my happiness, however, happiness is a tool that gives me energy, and assists me in reaching my other goals. Also, happiness, in it’s true state (as you say) is a sign that I am doing what I should be doing in life, according to my path– such as being a good person, and operating with the greatest good of all in mind.

By: Marisa

Marisa — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 16:32:18 +0000

I am not sure that I could agree with you. I think happiness should be the ultimate goal. But to me, happiness is something that should come from deep within you. I am talking about happiness that is at the core of your true self, totally independent of circumstances.I have an article about happiness at my site:
http://selfhelpproductreviews.com/happiness-is-a-choice/
My goal is not to be successful, rich, etc, it is to be happy. Just Happy!

By: Mighty

Mighty — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 12:00:19 +0000

Your post is so true. By pursuing happiness in and of itself, we often miss the point. Happiness is really a by product of doing something we really love. Cheers for a great read!!

By: Some Recommended Articles for Your Reading

Some Recommended Articles for Your Reading — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 17:51:21 +0000

[...] Warning! – Being Happy Is Dangerous [...]

By: Stacey / Create a Balance

Stacey / Create a Balance — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 23:54:18 +0000

I’m been floating around the blogosphere and haven’t visited your blog since participating in the Happiness Project. I’m happy to be back.

This post reminds me of the old saying “be careful what you ask for”….

So true. So true.

By: Marc and Angel Hack Life

Marc and Angel Hack Life — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 14:30:53 +0000

Happiness is an asset… so true. Stumbled.

By: Simon

Simon — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 11:40:26 +0000

I’m visiting all new 9 rules members today and leaving a congratulations comment. Well done fellow 9ruler!

By: Richard @ rabp

Richard @ rabp — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 19:37:13 +0000

That’s one of the most original artices on happiness I’ve read in ages.
The idea of happiness as something which isn’t a goal is also covered in Michael Crichton’s essay on happiness, which is my favourite on the subject.

http://michaelcrichton.com/essay-redbook-happiness.html

All we want is to be happy, but I don’t think that’s something that needs to be suppressed as such despite the potence of the goal. The pursuit really is fine, it’s just the quality of the pursuit which is the potential problem.

By: Success Professor

Success Professor — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 19:35:16 +0000

Very interesting idea. I always wondered about people who set being happy as a goal. Why not just choose to be happy?? Happiness, after all, is an attitude. We can control our attitudes! Certainly we can do things that put us in a better frame to be happy, but we can always choose to be happy.

By: Jarrod - Warrior Development

Jarrod - Warrior Development — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 18:22:46 +0000

Put value into meaningful things, it is a good idea and will benefit the world.

But then we still chase happiness even if it is just for its fuel.

I find when I am at peace with myself and everything then happiness is what naturally occurs. The only thing meaningful is my essence then it is something that always exists and can never be taken away, so I am always happy.

Then I can focus my efforts where they are best.

By: Coach Trudi

Coach Trudi — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 18:04:39 +0000

You make such a good point here. So many people think that happiness is a destination instead of a state of being. I really like Marci Shimoff’s take on being “Happy For No Reason.”

People are always wondering how so called happy-go-lucky people manage to get by when they seem to spend so little time worrying about silly things like details. Well I think it’s built into their vibration and they intuitively know that happiness attracts good things.

By: Jean Browman--Cheerful Monk

Jean Browman--Cheerful Monk — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 17:57:48 +0000

Following my basic philosophy brings me happiness:

“Stay curious and open to life. No matter what happens keep learning and growing. Find what you love to do and find a way to share it it with others.”

It’s not too wordy and it keeps me on track.

By: Alex Shalman

Alex Shalman — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 16:16:30 +0000

Yes, I didn’t put up any Dianetics advertisements. That was a google ad!

By: Robert A Reinsch

Robert A Reinsch — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 13:59:16 +0000

I find it ironic that your article, which I completely agree with, has an advertised link at the bottom of the page for “dianetics.org”. I’m going to go out on a limb and guess you didn’t put that ad there on your own. HappinessMind Control.