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Switch to Forum Live View Happy people live longer
2 years ago  ::  Mar 03, 2011 - 1:11PM #21
Christianlib
Christianlib
Posts: 21,848

Perhaps you should think about learning to live in the present moment.

Democrats think the glass is half full.
Republicans think the glass is theirs.
Libertarians want to break the glass, because they think a conspiracy created it.
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2 years ago  ::  Mar 03, 2011 - 1:24PM #22
shirleyj227
shirleyj227
Posts: 10,784

Mar 3, 2011 -- 10:22AM, Ken wrote:


 I disagree. We can no more choose to be happy than we can choose to believe that the world is flat.




I agree with you Ken. I think I am happy many times. I am lucky the only thing that really makes me unhappy is knowing that someday I will die. The only way I have learned to deal with that is to not run away from thinking about it.


Shirley
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2 years ago  ::  Mar 03, 2011 - 1:24PM #23
mountain_man
mountain_man
Posts: 34,481

This is probably in the same category as "married men live longer." It just seems that way. Happy people seem to live longer because we have to put up with them.

Dave - Just a Man in the Mountains.

I am a Humanist. I believe in a rational philosophy of life, informed by science, inspired by art, and motivated by a desire to do good for its own sake and not by an expectation of a reward or fear of punishment in an afterlife.
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2 years ago  ::  Mar 03, 2011 - 1:32PM #24
IreneAdler
IreneAdler
Posts: 2,838

 


 


Obnoxiously happy folks don’t fare well around me.


 


Irene
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2 years ago  ::  Mar 03, 2011 - 1:33PM #25
Christianlib
Christianlib
Posts: 21,848

Sometimes, being a pain in the ass makes me really happy.

Democrats think the glass is half full.
Republicans think the glass is theirs.
Libertarians want to break the glass, because they think a conspiracy created it.
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2 years ago  ::  Mar 03, 2011 - 1:47PM #26
Erey
Erey
Posts: 15,224

Mar 3, 2011 -- 1:33PM, Christianlib wrote:


Sometimes, being a pain in the ass makes me really happy.





LOL  I know what you mean
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2 years ago  ::  Mar 03, 2011 - 3:05PM #27
Iwantamotto
Iwantamotto
Posts: 6,255

Ken:  I disagree. We can no more choose to be happy than we can choose to believe that the world is flat.



Well, technically ...

Knock and the door shall open.  It's not my fault if you don't like the decor.
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2 years ago  ::  Mar 03, 2011 - 3:11PM #28
shirleyj227
shirleyj227
Posts: 10,784

Mar 3, 2011 -- 3:05PM, Iwantamotto wrote:


Ken:  I disagree. We can no more choose to be happy than we can choose to believe that the world is flat.



Well, technically ...




Hey tease the link does not work and you got me wondering .


Shirley
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2 years ago  ::  Mar 04, 2011 - 2:25AM #29
ELSOL102
ELSOL102
Posts: 1

Happiness can be a choice...there are people who are clinically depressed. However, some people can think their way into depression by the way they think.  I used to be like that. I read this book that helped me to change my thoughts and the way I viewed things and I am glad that worked for me. I had to work at changing those thoughts though. It really is true you can choose to see the glass half full or half empty.  I learned that I was not a helpless leaf blowing in the wind.  I think also there can be things that help people's moods like exercise, sunshine, chocolate, and watching something funny that makes you laugh is excellent.  Exercise can really help and when you are depressed the hardest thing might be to get  up and go out.  Most of the time I am pretty happy although there re times when I get down, or I have bad days, but they don't go on and on.
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2 years ago  ::  Mar 04, 2011 - 3:12AM #30
Ebon
Ebon
Posts: 7,863

Mar 3, 2011 -- 10:03AM, Erey wrote:

I am sure this will sounds a bit stupid but it sometimes seems to me that a person can be both depressed, as in clinicaly or whatever but still happy on some level.  Maybe that depends on the individual and what kind of depression they might have?  What do you think?



I don't know, to be honest. Clinica depression is highly variable, both between individuals and ay-to-day so I suppose it's possible with the milder forms. CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, a coping mechanism for mild (Type I/borderline Type II, I'm a high Type IV) forms of clinical depression) works by the principle of positive self-reinforcement (and is often derided as "think yourself well" although it's a coping mechanism, not a cure). So, while you can't exactly choose to be happy, you can train yourself to look on the bright side although, like any form of therapy, CBT takes a while to have an effect.


Mar 4, 2011 -- 2:25AM, ELSOL102 wrote:

However, some people can think their way into depression by the way they think.



That's called "Situational Depression". If you imagine your brain as a computer, Situational Deprssion is what happens when your software messes up. Clinical depression and Major Depressive Disorder are when both software and hardware are screwed up (which is why CBT doesn't work at that level, the brain is literally wired the wrong way).

He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God. ~ Proverbs 14:31

Fiat justitia, ruat caelum
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