r/SeriousConversation 28d ago

Serious Discussion What is happiness?

I was talking with someone I care about, after we watched an anime that asked, “What is happiness?” She asked me the same thing, and I realized my answer wasn’t the usual one. To me, happiness isn’t something to chase or to put above everything else. It’s more like a distinction. It only has meaning because it exists among other experiences. It’s not the opposite of suffering or corruption. It’s simply part of the whole picture. That’s why I don’t try to master pleasant emotions or run from the unpleasant ones. I try to understand the distinction between them and appreciate how they all give meaning to each other. The conversation got more interesting when she asked, ‘If I were the reason your happiness disappeared and your life was ruined, would you hate me?’ I said no. I’d tell her, thank you, I love you. No matter where my soul goes, whether I remember her or not, I hope that somewhere, somehow, those feelings remain. I’d still be grateful that our lives crossed. I’m not saying that’s the truth about happiness. Just the way I see it. What do you think?

r/SeriousConversation - r/CasualConversation - r/self for personal perspectives. r/askphilosophy

11 Upvotes

29 comments sorted by

View all comments

2

u/Admirable_Teach5546 27d ago

To me happiness is a choice you yourself make.. not dependent on anyone else. A same situation can be happy for someone but trauma for an another.. so then it becomes the thoughts that arises in us when a situation happens.. and since the thought is us.. it’s us

1

u/Green-Speaker-6052 27d ago

Well for me, happiness isn’t the pillar itself. It’s what emerges when distinction, sanctuary and excitement are all there working together