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There is nothing to fear from the gods. There is nothing to fear from death. Pain can be endured. Happiness can be attained.
– Epicurus
Anyone who has talked to me lately, knows that I’m OBSESSED with Happiness. What is it? What does it look like, taste like, feel like? How do we get it? How do we know when we have it? Is Happiness even possible?
I’m actually studying Happiness right now (for 3 personal projects that will be revealed very soon). In the meantime, I wanted to share with you what I’ve leared from Epicurus about Happiness.
Epicurus was an ancient greek philosopher who founded the philosophical school of thought called Epicureanism. He believed that we could all find a way to be happy, but most people spend their lives looking in the wrong place. Because we don’t understand what we really need, we fall prey to consumerism or the wants and desires of other people. According to Epicurus there are 3 Keys to Happiness:
- Friends. Friends are a major source of happiness, but Epicurus believed you need to see your friends on a consistent basis. Not just casually, but as much as possible. In fact, he believed that you should live with or in close quarters to your friends. Additionally, you should Never Eat Alone (good advice from a career perspective as well). It’s interesting to note that with Social Networks like Twitter, Facebook, or Flickr we’re never really alone. And yet, even with all of this social interaction, nothing can replace the intimacy that is achieved through seeing your friends in real life.
- Freedom. This means both Financial and Political independence. True Freedom is the ability to “Stand up for the courage of your own convictions” (as Mrs. Holden my 6th grade English Teacher would say), without having to worry about the opinions of your boss or peers, and without being driven by finanacial motivations. It’s living a life free of coercion or unaccepted duty. Self-sufficient.
- An Examined Life. The final key to happiness, according to Epicurus, was the ability to take time for self reflection. We need time and space to analyze the worries and anxieties of our life.
Of course Happiness is a very personal journey, what are your keys to happiness?
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Erica OGrady is the CXO of Peanut Butter Media. She is currently HOMELESS while working on a project called Twilight & Tea. Erica is a Writer, Adventurer, Explorer who Still Believes in Santa and Following Your Bliss -- For more information Text ERICAOGRADY to 50500
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
If you notice these things, one of the first things to happen in any horror movie or novel is to isolate the hero. Get them somewhere away from their friends, then they can be frightened.
Being in touch with one another stops that, doesn’t it. Like how upbeat the chatter was during Hurricane Ike in the Twitterverse between all of us going through it together and connected. Contrast it with the callers on the talk radio through the storm – terrified, isolated and alone, and trying to reach out to the talk radio DJ’s.
Epicurus did say once, i believe, that it is not our friends help that helps us – it is the *confidence* in their help that helps us. Thanks for showing me again that happiness is a choice. You rock.
Erica – I’m currently reading “The Geography of Bliss” by Eric Weiner. The subtitle cracks me up – “One Grump’s search for the happiest places in the world”. So far, it’s been entertaining and has even prompted me to read sections of it to my husband because of the insights. If you haven’t read it yet, check it out as part of your research and learning.
Tonia that’s fantastic – I actually have this on my iPhone/Kindle App. It’s one of the next books I’m planning to read
James – Yes. It’s all about the connections. We’re an amazing community for this reason!
I love the topic of happiness too! Especially the discrepancies between ppl on what makes them happy. Some ppl can never seem to catch a break but yet they are always in good spirits and others seem to have everything going for them and yet they can’t find happiness. If you haven’t already you should read The science of happiness
Erica…I responded to your post with my own at:
http://scottporad.com/2009/05/03/if-youre-seeking-happiness-stop-now/
Katie – Studies in Positive Psychology have shown that some people have a higher happiness set point then others (in other words, they are born happier). It’s also interesting to note that the things that really make people happy usually have nothing to do with outside circumstances or events. Which explains your observation that some people with perpetual bad luck still seem to be happier than people with every advantage.
Scott – Awesomesauce!
I really believe that the financial (and political) freedom is really critical. I imagine (and have seen movies about) people that can find happiness in the most extreme and horrible conditions, but I think that’s it’s generally excepted now that the lack of sufficient money usually brings unhappiness. However, excess money does not necessarily bring happiness (as documented by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi – the architect of the flow concept – he has a good talk on TED about this).
Anyway, nice post!
Hey Gavin,
Thanks for the comment, I loved this video and have embedded it below for everyone else to view!
[youtube fXIeFJCqsPs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXIeFJCqsPs youtube]
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