@markymark phil,
markymark;79101 wrote:Why after viewing most of this forum do I find that most postings are of a unhappy nature. It seems philosophy has become the next big thing in pseudo- psychiatry where people get to dump their feelings about how sh*t their life is and hope other people have some asnswers. This is not what I came to this forum for.Do you people agree?
Marky, IMO, it seems to me for anyone to understand what "happiness" truly is we need to do our best to understand where sadness comes from? What is it's "nature"? That is an invasive emotion and it affects us all. As Justin said and I do agree, it comes form within us which means the smile comes first in that it expresses a joy in life itself amid all the problems we are exposed to. Now I didn't say "experienced", but exposed to. Not all experience the same "stuff" as in this day and time we can't help but notice so much more, be it real or fabricated, that affects how we "feel". We just can't ingnore that, or can we?
I learn so much from what is express from the mind of another because I, personally, can't help but examine those motivations that engendered whatever that mind is trying to communicate whether it be being exposed to it in my own reality and my own life, or what is depicted in other "fabricated" media, that is not a part of my reality. I try my best to focus on what I know, rather than what others "want" me to know which is what "mass media" is as some who control it espouse "it is the peoples right to know"! You really have to take that statement with a grain of salt. In that all you see is fabricated, choreographed and transmitted for a reason. If it were real and unadulterated and not edited and directed, would be one thing, but it is not, is it?
We are all subject to this "fabricated reality" and those who edit it and direct it. Even our most precious tomes of knowledge fall into the hands of translators and editors and publishers who have control over what we "know" often in "their own best interest". Anything you do not witness within your own senses, your own reality, that you can touch, taste, feel, see, hear and smell is a "fabrication". Whether it is true or not..................? Hmmm? It amazing what is out there that is the self interest of others. It is "selfishness", period.
To understand the mind of another and it's output, one must have "complete knowledge" of all it's input! Enter artificial intelligence and the age of the computer and the "super brain". "Happy Days", we will finally have a way to know all the input and from that we will be able to solve all our problems and every one will be happy. Hmmm?
Now here comes marky, right slap daub in the middle of this super brain expressing how sad it seems????????????????? You know, I have to agree with you, it does. You my friend have the world at your finger tips. It's all in there and being added to daily; the good, the bad and the ugly. Now what are you going to do with it? So far it is unedited and unexpurgated, I assume, for I am not a expert on it, but let's just assume it is. What are you going to add to this?
Now here we are sitting infront of our input system we call a keyboard in the house that Justin built awaiting to be exposed to what Marky thinks and what is on his mind that will become a part of that "super brain". Are you thoughts a part of what you have been "programmed" to think that has been edited and directed, or a depiction of what you have actually experienced in your own life, up close and personal? Will we be saddened by your input or happy. Only you can be the judge of that! What are your motives? What do you wish to accomplish? Are you looking for something that will make you happy or expose to others what it is that generates the smile in you?
Now we are an inquisitive bunch all wanting to be happy, though there are those who will even argue that as they have completely lost sight of the light at the end of the tunnel. Are you going to being some light to that darkness and help enlighten their perception that might shed some light on their otherwise dreary existence or be empathic and say, "I understand"?
There's nothing wrong with empathy if you follow it up with a "but"......! That "but" means everything, IMO. Such as can be illiustrated in the following statement, "I know how you feel, but you know in speaking with others who felt the same way, here is what they did that helped them and this is what they found.................!
It's a bit "sneaky" but it works. It's a way of offering your opinion without being "glared at". Ha. Let somebody else do the "offering" for you. Just be ingenious and have their best interest at heart and not your own. That is "extremely" hard to do, as it requires telling the "ego" to "shut it's mouth". Ha.
Here's how the smile from within you works. I wrote a paper once as a sales trainer entitled the 4A technique: ATTITUDE, ATTENTION, APPROVAL AND ACCEPTANCE. It simply states if a person is non threatening he will engender the attention of another and if it is compatible with another, it will be approved and accepted in their own life and perception. The key is the attitude and it cannot be "faked"; it must be "real" or the other person will "sense" it and their attention will wander indicating disapproval and feigning acceptance. That attitude which is motivated by enthusiasm (which the definition lies in the last four letters of the word IASM, [i am sold myself] on what you wish to express. It is all invasive and starts with a smile. that is enthusiasm itself.
Happiness is so important in our existence and it can only come from sharing with one another without agenda's attached unadulterated and real without editing and direction. Once we can achieve that, I think we will all be able to kick that which makes us unhappy in the teeth and say begone with you "o'damned spot".
Sorry, for ranting on so. It so often happens with me. As always IMMHO.
William
