Summary

The website content reflects on the diverse interpretations of happiness through a series of rhetorical questions and personal insights, encouraging readers to consider what truly ignites their own sense of joy and fulfillment.

Abstract

The article titled "What Lights Your Happy Fire?" delves into the multifaceted nature of happiness, presenting it as a harmonious alignment of thoughts, words, and actions, as per Mahatma Gandhi's definition. It explores various sources of happiness, ranging from wealth and health to relationships, career success, and personal virtues like kindness and respect. The author, John Hansen, invites readers to ponder what brings them joy, whether it's material possessions, personal achievements, peace, or the impact they have on others. The piece also includes quotes from Frank Tyger and Epictetus, emphasizing the connection between doing what one likes and true happiness. Hansen acknowledges that not everyone prioritizes happiness, with some chasing power and wealth or finding contentment in unhappiness and complaint. The article concludes with a tagging section and a link to the full month-long poetry prompt series on Medium.

Opinions

Happiness is perceived differently by individuals; for some, it may be wealth or health, while for others, it could be peace or success.
Personal fulfillment can come from observing and learning from others' mistakes, suggesting that schadenfreude might be a source of joy for some.
The pursuit of happiness can be tied to achievements such as writing a best-seller or succeeding in one's career.
Acts of kindness and positively impacting every room one leaves can be significant contributors to personal happiness.
Respect and trust in relationships are valued as foundational elements of happiness.
The author suggests that doing what one enjoys and enjoying what one does are key components of happiness.
There is an acknowledgment that not everyone strives for happiness, with some individuals prioritizing power, wealth, or even a paradoxical contentment found in being unhappy.
The rarity of certain pleasures might enhance their ability to delight us, as suggested by the quote from Epictetus.

Poember December: Paper Poetry

What Lights Your Happy Fire?

~ And Keeps it Burning

Image created by Author using Gencraft (Text added via Picfont)

Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony. — Mahatma Gandhi

Most* people strive for happiness, but what does it mean to you? Some class happiness as being rich, others to just have shoes.

Would good health make you happy, or having loved ones ever near? Or just partying and having fun - one glass too many beers?

Success at your chosen career, having knowledge still untapped - would these things be the catalyst to have your happiness uncapped?

Or by observing other people, and to laugh at their mistakes? Perhaps this gives you happiness, and makes your tummy shake.

To see a world of only PEACE, all wars now in the past? Something we all have wished for, and has finally come to pass.

To write your first best-seller, and be acknowledged by your peers - Would this make you so happy, that you’d be reduced to tears?

To know that every room you leave, before you close the door, you left it in a better state than it was in before?

Or by being kind and helpful to encourage and inspire? Perhaps this is all you need to light your happy fire.

To have respect for others, both given and received, to have trust in one another, and know your word’s believed?

To have people seek my company, and be loved by those held dear, are things that make me happy, and inspire me each new year.

Doing what you like is freedom. Liking what you do is happiness.

— Frank Tyger

Authors Note

*Most people strive for happiness ~ I put ‘most’ not ‘all’ here because although I would like to think that all people strive for happiness, I know that isn’t true. There will always be people whose yearning for power and wealth is more important than anyone’s happiness (I guess that is what makes them happy though.)

There are also people who aren’t content unless they are unhappy, and need things to go wrong so they can complain and get the attention that they otherwise may lack. I guess it could be argued that their unhappiness makes them happy, if that is possible.

The pleasure which we most rarely experience gives us greatest delight.

— Epictetus

Tagging

Carolyn Hastings, Jessica Levine, Dixie Dodd, Randy Pulley, William Michael Williamson

Poember December

Paper Poetry’s month-long prompt is here!

medium.com