Happiness Formula

I have always been thinking about what it means by happiness (like everyone else) because I am so sure that is the only thing that really matters to me. I'm not particularly interested in things like, power (especially), not so much of reputation, legacy (somehow never), appearing superior all the time, etc., probably because I don't really care how others think about me. (since the moment I realized that I don't really care about other people either) 

http://www.salon.com/2012/01/28/the_neuroscience_of_happiness/

* What is happiness to me? 

For me, happiness can be explained simply as gratitude. When I feel grateful to God for having given me such a blessed life, that would mean I'm happy. 

After that crucial part has been answered, I went on to ask how I would attain this.

* Happiness Formula

This is the formula I have for the time being. Happiness is divided into two parts: short-term and long-term.

" Short-term happiness = (trying to) enjoy every moment responsibly with positive mind "

* Enjoy every moment

This was based on my observation that happiness was something that was attainable as easily as just the tweak of the mind. The tip is realizing that there is no event that is absolutely bad or absolutely good. (although easier said than done!) There are always both advantages and disadvantages. It is just a matter of where you focus. You should not completely ignore disadvantages because that may mean missing out the lesson, but after you have learned the lesson, there is no point dwelling on the misery and disappointment. 

* Try to

However, when the trial of being positive fails (because sometimes emotions can't be changed just with sheer will), it is also necessary to let those emotions be. Even though happiness may feel the best, it is by no means, the best emotion because without subjective evaluation, there is no such thing as 'best' emotion; there are just emotions. And there is no place for happiness to exist without the presence of other emotions. Happiness can be felt only in contrast to other emotions. 

* Responsively

I added the part 'responsibly' to prevent hedonism, which means pursuit of pleasure. Pursuing pleasure is good but sometimes you also ought to work hard for something you want in the future even though it may not be pleasurable at that moment.

" Long-term happiness = money + love "

I came to a conclusion that for me at least, long-term happiness is comprised of two parts: money and love. Only when both components have been satisfied, there is true happiness.

* Money

Of course, I won't go into specifying the amount of money that will bring me happiness because honestly, I don't know. All I know is that to enjoy various hobbies, travel once in a while, eat good food, etc., having sufficient money would be nice. I won't deny my materialistic side. :)

In fact, for me, the more money the better. (Some people say once you become rich, there is no end to greed. I please hope that does not happen to me, but of course, I don't know how my future self will be. I will rule out that option at this point.)

With more money I have, I would love to donate it to build wells in places that need clean water. There are many other things that poor villages need, such as water, education, medicine, food, etc. But I like the idea of building wells the most because it gives concrete results with no conflicting predictions, and I also think life comes a way before anything else, and clean water is crucial in sustaining life.

* Love

http://www.moneythatworks.org/moneythatworks/?p=93

Anyways, that was the first component. The second component is love, and this does not only mean love towards someone, but rather of life. It could be loving myself, someone else, hobby, humanity or nature. Anything, really. Just doing the things you love to do often enough. For me, it would be spending time with my bf, going to park and feel the nature, or (if I get a sewing machine) make something with sewing machine. I think this really keeps people going in life. 

So that was my happiness formula. 

 What is yours?