… Happiness has very little to do with the things that we have. It is first and for most an inner feeling, it comes from inside, not from outside...
It's from inside-out, and in our culture, we where trained that it is from outside-in. Big mistake...
Spot-on, Fred!
In the most simplified terms,
happiness can be defined mathematically (yes, I know, a blasphemy
) =
obtained divided by desired. Obviously, two ways to increase the quotient: by
obtaining more (goods, success, sex, etc. - western philosophy and/or younger age) or
desiring less (eastern philosophy and/or older age).
In relation to the age and happiness debate, I guess as we grow older we tend to desire less, and are more content/resigned with what we have, which, in turn, makes as happier. What is going on here is that, as we grow older, we are redefining the term.
Hence, Rob, you are both right and wrong at the same time
If you use the youthful definition of happiness, you can not possibly be happier as you get older. But all it takes to feel happier is to redefine the expectations. As certified curmudgeons, you and I can call it "lowering the bar" just as well.