Do You Seek Happiness or Pleasure?
January 23, 2009
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Posted in choices, happiness, inner peace, pleasure, serenity
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Lasting happiness is definitely my goal, but I haven’t completely risen above momentary pleasures. It’s no easy task.
The problem for me isn’t just pleasure, it’s pain too. It took me awhile to realize that being happy is not the same as being without pain, and that being without pain is not the same as being happy. There’s a great saying by Rajinder Singh:
In this world,
sickness and pain
are inevitable;
suffering is optional.
As you’ve aptly pointed out in this post, we have the option to choose happiness, but we have to be willing to live IN the moment.
Thanks again for another great post!
Hi, Michael! It’s so nice to see you back here.
My take on this is that my goal is lasting happiness so I don’t want to pursue any short term pleasures that would sabotage my long term goal.
However, there are many pleasures that I can and will enjoy without detracting from my happiness or the happiness of others… a walk in the woods, building a sand castle at the beach, or reading a good book while sipping a full-bodied Darjeeling. In fact I think these simple pleasures enhance our experience of lasting happiness.