The Russian Patient

The path of a modern shaman

What is Happiness?

What are 5 everyday things that bring you happiness?

Happiness, the concept of it, has been imposed on us, here in the West, as some sort of a guru mantra that could solve all our problems.

In reality, however, it is pretty much impossible. We can get these glimpses of occasional happiness, but they are rare for the majority of us, and don’t reflect the reality. I would maybe feel happier, if there were no wars, no deaths of loved ones, a better financial stability and better mental health.

With maturity I learned that it’s the meaning of life that matters. A ‘happy’ life is a meaningful life. It is when you feel some kind of purpose. For some, it’s having a meaningful job, for others, it is a loving relationship, family being around, no financial worries, etc, etc. I don’t think that anyone can claim to have it all, and be always happy. Happiness has become more of a commodity. It is a bit discouraging when we are expected to represent the ultimate happy being. Someone who has it all, and is always cheerful. I don’t think it’s possible. Mhh…maybe online, perhaps…where we can project an idealized version of ourselves.

Instead of happiness, I try to always rely on my inner joy. By nature I am just a ‘happy’ human being. Nothing can beat me and derive me of pleasure of daily living, even if sometimes it’s shit.

But I do catch these rare moments of happiness, and for me it’s based in my daily routine. Songbirds in the early morning, nice coffee in peace when everyone is still sleeping, waking up early, writing, and good food. I love cooking and I love going out to eat.

These small, simple things bring me joy, and occasionally I also feel happy. But I also search for meaning, and it’s more important for me.

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Posted by:

Ekaterina

I am a Doctor of philosophy, a university lecturer, and a lover of cats, fine wine, dancing, theatre, and human eccentricity. Born in the Soviet Union (Moscow), I grew up in both Russia and Donbas. I am fluent in four languages, and have spent all my adult life studying (except from 18 to 19) working and living throughout Western Europe. Despite a surname-Netchitailova- that translates from Russian into English as “unreadable”, my great passions in life are reading and writing. My personal struggles have made me appreciate the manifestations of weirdness that exist everywhere.

7 responses to “What is Happiness?”

  1. lecox Avatar
    lecox

    Hubbard defined happiness as overcoming not unknowable barriers towards some known goal.

    I interpret this more generally as playing a game that is freely chosen. A game consists of purposes, freedoms and barriers.

    I personally feel happiest when I am doing something productive that I am competent at.

    For me in particular that includes my job, my art, my electronics hobby and my writing.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Ekaterina Avatar
      Ekaterina

      Yes, I agree. A happy life is a life that has a purpose!

      Like

      Reply
  2. Dirtsmith Avatar
    Dirtsmith

    I agree with what you are saying about this facade of happiness that society tells us we need to project in order to secure higher status.

    But our focus on “meaning” and “purpose” troubles me. I grew up in a religious family and community where the idea that life without some sort of “purpose” was pointless.

    In retrospect, I see this message as manipulative propaganda, designed to make us feel depressed if our life isn’t based around some “purpose,” and thereby position us to fall prey to some sort of purpose imposed upon us by a large organization.

    Personally, I believe that purpose (among a host of other things) CAN provide happiness. And (depending on what that “purpose” may be), I would likely happily endorse that lifestyle.

    But that certainly doesn’t mean that there cannot be happiness apart from it. That we cannot build wonderful and fulfilling lives from various experiences WITHOUT an overarching “purpose” that unites them.

    I think “purpose” is a double-edged sword that can lead individuals to lives of love and service, and just as easily to lives of destruction and horror.

    My father is a Type-A personality. He exists to work. For him, his work is his purpose. I should also point out that for him, working feels like PLAY.

    I believe Western society is dominated and driven by Type A personalities who all operate from the same place. And these people, who fail to realize that their work is also their play, have convinced us that without some purpose to work towards, life is meaningless and unsatisfying.

    The reality, however, is that it is the PLAY that brings the happiness. We mistakenly look at the work “hat” sitting on top of it and conclude that it is the WORK that is responsible. Thus, happiness requires purpose.

    But I look at children (or my dog, OR MYSELF), who are happiest and most fulfilled when they are at play. How can I judge that their lives are devoid of “meaning” simply because they play without any sense of purpose?

    I think that our language creates a lot of the confusion. I don’t know how it is in Russian, but the fact that “purpose” (working towards an objective), “meaning” (using a simple concept to signify another that is more complex), and “significance” (having value) are used as synonyms in English has confused our understanding.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Ekaterina Avatar
      Ekaterina

      Aha. My post has been a bit of blah blah blah.
      I am just deeply fascinated by the concept of happiness! And return to it from time to time, along with me changing my mind about something.
      I agree with what you say and in my next post on happiness will incorporate your thoughts about it.
      Thank you so much for such a profound and deep and thoughtful response.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Dirtsmith Avatar
        Dirtsmith

        Your posts always seem to prompt some reflection from me, and you are so open to hearing opinions that might be a bit different, so thank YOU so much for providing an outlet for thoughtful exchange of ideas! 🤩

        Your writing in this one made me think you might be feeling a bit down? I am sending you some positive thoughts just in case!

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Ekaterina Avatar
        Ekaterina

        Yes! I was a bit down!
        But things got better since then!
        You gave me a lot of ideas to explore what is happiness further on!
        Thank you so much!

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Dirtsmith Avatar
        Dirtsmith

        ☺️

        Liked by 1 person

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About Me

I am a doctor of philosophy, a university lecturer, and a lover of cats, fine wine, dancing, theatre, and human eccentricity. Born in the Soviet Union (Moscow), I grew up in both Russia and Donbas. I am fluent in four languages, and have spent all my adult life studying (except from 18 to 19) working and living throughout Western Europe. Despite a surname-Netchitailova- that translates from Russian into English as “unreadable”, my great passions in life are reading and writing. My personal struggles have made me appreciate the manifestations of weirdness that exist everywhere. My novel ‘Elena: A Love Story for Humankind’ telling a story of a Russian pianist, diagnosed with schizophrenia, looking for her twin sister in England, can be found on Amazon.

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