Happiness
Name
Institution
Happiness is considered fundamental on the list of virtues in humanities. The need for searching happiness is paramount in human beings to the extent; many go to psychiatrists to establish the best way to cultivate happiness in addition, reading books on the subject of happiness. In essence, happiness is the mental state of being well, which characterized by positive emotions that range from intense joy to contentment. In this regard, philosophers with religious experts link happiness with the aspect of living a flourishing life (Nettle, 2006). On the other hand, psychiatrists outline social ties, living a peaceful life and having accomplished dreams to be the reliable indicator of attaining happiness. This implies that, happiness is achievable in that, one can gain it by attaining indicators of happiness. Happiness is a fuzzy concept that would mean many things to different people. With this in mind, I recently interviewed two people to find out their definition of happiness, how they gained it and whether they feel happiness is achievable.
Oprah Winfrey, 57 is well known for the most watched show host in Television. The way she handled audiences and guests earned her popularity. In fact, she outlined to have encountered difficult times during childhood in that, her parents separated after she was born. “It was quiet challenging in that; I was left under the care of my maternal grandmother having no parental love”. She outlines to have been compounded with problems such as, repeated sexual abuse. She continues outlining that, “My father saved me through providing a sense of direction in life”. Having come from such a background it was challenging and to where she is, she outline it a miracle. While interviewing Oprah on her definition of happiness I asked her how she gained happiness, its origin and development, what experiences influence happiness and whether she feels happiness is achievable; her answers were well documented. Oprah outlined happiness as a virtue that human beings wish for and with happiness life makes meaning. She outlines happiness as the mental of well-being attributed by positive emotions that enhance contentment. She went on in outlining that, “if one can summon life in courage in the midst of happiness, am certain sure one can be happy”. She went on outlining happiness to be achievable in the sense that, throughout her life she outlined the key to happiness is to seeing what you can become in the future and not just what or who you are now. From her argument, she outlined happiness to be achievable in that, if one purpose to be generous to other people one will be happy (Kelley, 2011). With this in mind, she highlighted the origin of happiness and development is living at peace with other people. Interviewing Oprah was funny and to gather more information I interviewed Sabina a student at Sydney University.
Sabina, 17 and a student at Sydney University, is lady pursuing psychology. Most of the time, Sabina spends most of her life with family and siblings, which to her brings her joy. In fact, she told me that her family has been so supportive at all times, even in hard times. She continued by outlining that, “most of the time we go to interesting places to relax during weekends”. Sabina went on to tell me that, her family has taught her to live life to the fullest by enjoying each day. I’m not quiet sure if she meant it by she told me that, she enjoy every challenge she encounter in life and she has never allowed stress to bother her. Pursuing psychology has been interest for I have learnt the way to handle people. I went on by asking her definition of happiness, how she cultivates it, whether happiness is achievable and the origin and development of happiness. In this regard, she defined happiness as the state of mind illustrated by positive emotions that attribute intense joy and fulfillment. She admitted that, happiness is cultivated by having positive thoughts, believing in oneself and loving yourself and others. She went ahead in outlining that; “happiness is achievable in that, there are various habits, which link with happiness such as positive relationship, accomplishing goals and belonging to a religion”. She went on in outlining that, “I can testify that happiness is cultivated in that, there are times I fell down because of circumstances around me but, I purpose to cultivate happiness through having a strong belief in God, positive thoughts and having positive relationships that believe in me”. With this in mind, she believed that happiness is achievable and human beings should cultivate the virtue. She also noted that, enjoying every moment in life is the best way of cultivate happiness in addition, working hard to achieve dreams. “Since I was 10Years I wanted to study psychology and for that reason; studying psychology has given me happiness in life and with this in mind, outlining happiness as something attributed by attaining your goals”.
Results of the interviews
The answers that were given by Oprah and Sabina were similar to some extent in that, both defined happiness as the state of well-being that can be achieved. In addition, both considered happiness to be fundamental on the list of virtues in humanities. However, there difference on how each achieved happiness in that, Sabina outlined achieving her goals to be the paramount in achieving happiness while Oprah believed in being kind and generous to people. The subjects were honest for both Sabina and Oprah defined well the concept of happiness.
Part 2
Happiness is understood differently in different countries and culture. Using the film Rough cut Doc, happiness is understood differently based on country or culture. For instance, the film outline that, in rural villages’ happiness concept tends to differ to urban idea. In many rural villages, happiness is attributed by efficiently cultivating land, mothers looking after their kids and husbands. On the other hand, in urban set up, many believe happiness is found in things like education, achieving goals and money.
No wonder many work hard to attain such things to live a happy life. Rough cut film outline a bright spot of political freedom and prosperity as he ideal of attaining happiness. In this regard, studies outline Canada to be among the happiest country on earth the results showing the happiest countries are those, which enhance freedom to their people (Jonaro & Altshuler, 2011). Trying moments in some countries such as lack of peace and attacks for instance, Rwanda genocide incidence may a hinder country from achieving happiness. For example, Rwanda may not be in the list of happiest countries for undergoing both social and economic boom due to genocide incidence. With this in mind, the attitude toward happiness in different cultures and countries is having freedom, peace and well economically.
References
Jonaro, R.,& Altshuler,T. (2011). The Art of Being Human. New York: Pearson Education, Limited
Kelley, K. (2011). Oprah: A Biography. London: Crown Publishing Group
Nettle, D. (2006). Happiness: The science behind your smile. New York: Oxford University Press
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