My definition of happiness implies contentment. Therefore, I’d rather be happy for the rest of my life than just contented. But of course this is a trick question, probably with a great deal of philosophical baggage, so I ask you to explain.
What I *think* you mean is that happiness is the sort of thing that happens for a short time but is of a much larger measure, while contentment is something, once achieved, that lasts about a lifetime (as it’s more a habit than an emotion) since the “bad” things in life don’t make you down, and the great things don’t make you proud…
In fact, come to think of it, contentment may in fact be better at face value than happiness simply because that kind of emotion/habit may prevent you from being too “happy” (ie it prevents the temptation of pride). Maybe.
But still, if you ask for heaven, ask for Al-Firdous, and if you ask for passive contentment, why not ask for active, wholesale happiness.
Uzer: what i basically mean is…ke u can be happy at a specific time but u may not be contented with life generally…u get wat i mean?
happiness, yes, lik uzer said, is sometihng which ocmes in short bursts..lol..as in one can never stay happy al the time but it is possible to b contented always…or so i think..lik i said, u scare me, so i dont really no how to answer u mostly :S
lol..
n trust me…I ask Him a lot for sense…for both of us! n a lot many more ppl! lol…
lol. duh its right.
My definition of happiness implies contentment. Therefore, I’d rather be happy for the rest of my life than just contented. But of course this is a trick question, probably with a great deal of philosophical baggage, so I ask you to explain.
What I *think* you mean is that happiness is the sort of thing that happens for a short time but is of a much larger measure, while contentment is something, once achieved, that lasts about a lifetime (as it’s more a habit than an emotion) since the “bad” things in life don’t make you down, and the great things don’t make you proud…
In fact, come to think of it, contentment may in fact be better at face value than happiness simply because that kind of emotion/habit may prevent you from being too “happy” (ie it prevents the temptation of pride). Maybe.
But still, if you ask for heaven, ask for Al-Firdous, and if you ask for passive contentment, why not ask for active, wholesale happiness.
(also ask for sense [for me I mean])
hahaha@ask for sense. Yes, I believe, contentment is a bigger blessing than happiness.
Both are one and the same thing. I state no difference.
Uzer: what i basically mean is…ke u can be happy at a specific time but u may not be contented with life generally…u get wat i mean?
happiness, yes, lik uzer said, is sometihng which ocmes in short bursts..lol..as in one can never stay happy al the time but it is possible to b contented always…or so i think..lik i said, u scare me, so i dont really no how to answer u mostly :S
lol..
n trust me…I ask Him a lot for sense…for both of us! n a lot many more ppl! lol…
I would persue contentment. when you are content you are at ease. In other words chances are more if you are content then you will also be happy.
Happiness in relatively material issues like money, party may give you happiness but I am not sure about contentment.
contentment is state of ease in continuous mode. It is a state where you are neither happy nor unhappy. just your being is enough.
Suresh…thank you for ur comment…i totally agree wid u!