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You are responsible for your own happiness and unhappiness

Tomm

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Somebody told me, we are responsible for our own happiness and unhappiness, to a certain degree. Think of the happiness equation: Happiness = Reality - Expectation

According to this equation, we have control over our own happiness, to a certain degree. There are two ways we can increase our happiness - improve the reality or lower our expectation.

Many people are not aware of the second option, which is, in fact, an efficient way to achieve it. When we lower our expectation, then our happiness will increase. But when we raise our expectation, then our happiness will decrease. Assuming all other factors remaining constant for both.

When we forget about humility, our expectation will continue to rise and rise.
 
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dreadnought

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Somebody told me, we are responsible for our own happiness and unhappiness, to a certain degree. Think of the happiness equation: Happiness = Reality - Expectation

According to this equation, we have control over our own happiness, to a certain degree. There are two ways we can increase our happiness - improve the reality or lower our expectation.

Many people are not aware of the second option, which is, in fact, an efficient way to achieve it. When we lower our expectation, then our happiness will increase. But when we raise our expectation, then our happiness will decrease. Assuming all other factors remaining constant for both.

When we forget about humility, our expectation will continue to rise and rise.
I think that if we keep our noses clean, life treats us pretty well.
 
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tdidymas

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Somebody told me, we are responsible for our own happiness and unhappiness, to a certain degree. Think of the happiness equation: Happiness = Reality - Expectation

According to this equation, we have control over our own happiness, to a certain degree. There are two ways we can increase our happiness - improve the reality or lower our expectation.

Many people are not aware of the second option, which is, in fact, an efficient way to achieve it. When we lower our expectation, then our happiness will increase. But when we raise our expectation, then our happiness will decrease. Assuming all other factors remaining constant for both.

When we forget about humility, our expectation will continue to rise and rise.
Frustration arises out of unrealistic expectations and desire to control circumstances. Whenever we let God be the manager of the universe, it is easier to be content with what we have. We can strive for better circumstances, but relax the pressure on ourselves to accomplish what we want. James 4:13-15; the Lord's will be done. We must see God in the circumstance.
TD:)
 
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SakraNomoko

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I think you can control how you respond to what makes you happy or unhappy, not necessarily the state of the emotion itself. Where that "happiness" equation falls apart is when you're living a miserable reality, no matter what your expectations are.

What I would agree is that you are ultimately in control of the direction your life takes, whether life goes in that direction or not. And if that direction is the direction God would have, He will make it possible for you to be content with life, whether it be happy or unhappy.

And in the grace the God gives, it is still up to us whether or not, day by day, we choose the contentment He has provided.
 
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