Reading around it seems that the happiest state of being is that of a hunter/gatherer society. They have the best ratio of work to leisure, a fulfilling life, variety and pleasure. Of course we must not romanticise. There was disease, dangerous animals and food shortages. It was not ideal. But these cultures seem happy and fulfilled. Unfortunately with coming up 8 Billion people we can no longer live this way.
Moving to a move agricultural base certainly caused great problems. We had to toil for much longer in the field at tasks – weeding, sowing, watering, nurturing, looking after livestock – that were not very satisfying. It brought people together in greater numbers which created more disease. It created anxieties over weather, wild animals and theft. We’d moved into ownership and potential loss. There was less time for leisure and pleasure. Life could be fraught and precarious. There was often violent theft and pillaging requiring greater security and the advent of powerful overlords. But villages were supportive and there was a quality of life.
Moving to an industrial times it became far worse for the majority. Hours in factories were long, the work was unsatisfying and dangerous. It was unhealthy. Housing was poor and disease was far greater because of cramped conditions. A small elite lived very well but the majority lived in squalor.
Modern times have seen improvements in living standards generally around most of the world. In the West we have seen living standards rise, earning power rise, work become less dangerous and healthier. Technology has made many jobs simpler and taken a lot of the effort out of chores. Medicine has made life safer and mortality has risen dramatically. We no longer have our children dying on us. We can plan pour families. There are pensions and welfare benefits. We can travel, buy things, and have a great quality of life. There is less war and less violence. But has it made us happier?
Perhaps the next revolution needs to be a happiness revolution where we focus on how to make people really happy?
Happiness
Epicurus was on to something when he said that happiness was extremely difficult to achieve.
He said that material possessions won’t make us happy for long.
The standard belief is that pleasure is the absence of pain and the presence of good feelings. But Epicurus pointed out that all pleasures are ephemeral. Our lives are full of cravings. We buy something, achieve something, gain promotion, eat something, drink something, have sex and it makes us feel good. We imagine that if we only had those things, that life, those looks, we would be happy. But that sensation of feeling good rapidly goes and we need another fix. Not only that but we need something bigger and better to create the same level of thrill. Each new experience is not as pleasurable as the previous. We have to up the ante. Too much of the nicest thing eventually becomes boring. We have to keep doing something more just to get the same level of buzz.
Ultimately the pursuit of pleasure leaves us miserable.
We can go out on mad drink and drug sprees, indulge in orgies, earn fortunes, purchase yachts and penthouses, have cosmetic surgery, buy the most expensive jewelry and clothes and end up depressed.
There is more pleasure and happiness to be found in friendship, love and creativity than can ever be bought or possessed.
We are not here to serve the state; it is here to serve us!!
Instead of judging a country by its material production we should be judging it by how happy it makes its population. All countries should ditch GNP for GNH – Gross National Happiness!!
Schools should not be turning out mindless numbers equipped only to fill economic or military roles in society. Schools should turn out individuals equipped to live happy fulfilled lives!!
In Singapore each individual produces, on average, $56,000 per person.
In Costa Rica they only produce a measly $14,000.
But Costa Ricans record far higher levels of happiness!!
So do you want to be part of a hard-working productive country making the state richer or a happy society making the people happier?
I think we may have got our priorities wrong! I say let’s change from focussing on GNP to focussing on GNH!!
Vote today for happiness!!!
Here’s my list of things that would make me happy
(Not necessarily in order)
A Good Education
Lots of Friends
A Good Sense of Humor
Great sex
A society that is compassionate
No war
A community and world in harmony with the planet and nature
Appreciation of the wonder around us – trees, rocks, countryside, culture, sunsets, geology
No religion
Plenty of love, children, family
Pets and wildlife
Creativity
Debate and argument
Relaxation and sport
Writing and painting
Photographing beautiful things
Communicating
Alcohol
Great food
Warm weather
Being respected and valued
Valuing and respecting others
A good marriage
Good neighbours
Great music
Discussion and close friends
Adventure
Health and fitness
A great job doing some good
Making a difference to the world.
Meeting interesting people and going interesting places
That should do it!
The world is torn apart with hatred, sectarian violence, fundamentalist insanity, corporate greed, selfish exploitation, misogyny and racial ignorance. It’s time everyone stopped and took a step back and tried a different approach.
Instead of listening to the hate-mongers we should try talking to the people.
Where-ever I’ve been on this small planet I’ve found the people, no matter how poor, friendly and helpful. Why are they turned to hate?
What feeds that despair and intolerance?
Back in the sixties the peace and love vibe permeated the world for a couple of glorious years. The hippie trail went out to Afghanistan and Pakistan and there was none of the fanaticism and fundamental hatred. There was respect for the culture. What has fuelled the extremism and intolerance?
Oil, greed, war, religion and power, that’s what.
It’s time we built a positive zeitgeist, reached out to people and smiled a lot more. Equality and tolerance should be the key words. Respect and communication the tools. We need to oppose bigotry, extremism and ignorance with all our might and never with violence. A cuddle works wonders.
I believe that religion is one of the greatest causes of evil in this world but, as an antitheist, I would stand up for the right of every human being to believe what they want.
I believe the greedy bankers, industrialists and exploiters are guiding us to destruction but that does not mean that I want to eradicate them.
I believe that the warmongers are jiving up the passions so that they can exploit them for their own power. But I believe the only way to deal with the psychopaths is to talk, communicate and use reason.
There are better ways than bombs.
Peace Love and Happiness
What this world needs now is a big dollop of love
Spread like honey over toast
A cuddle and a hug with the warmth of a cosy bath
That stretches from coast to coast
A welcoming smile and a helping hand
To show we all do really care
The gentleness of touch of a passing breeze
To show we’re always there
What this world needs is peace and harmony
To melt away the greed
A shared drink and meal with tinkling laugh
To show we are agreed
For love can thaw the hardest heart
If we put aside our hate
If we join together with respect and pride
We can surely improve our fate
Peace love and happiness
Is that too much to ask?
I’ll join with you if you’ll join with me
Together there’s a task.
It’s a job that is worth doing
To improve our sad old world
Peace love and happiness
Is worth much more than gold
Opher 17.1.15
World Best Seller list June 3rd 2014-06-02
Opher sweeps the Top Three Places!!!!
Opher’s World voted Top Blog!!!
The great new talent – the enigmatic Opher – has gone straight to the top three positions on the Best Seller’s list!
He has not only sold more books than anybody in history but has completely changed the world!
The United Nations announce that all wars, conflicts and inequalities have ceased! Overnight the world is at peace!! Sexism & Racism have been eradicated! The ecology of the planet is being protected! Animals are safe! Elephants, whales and tigers are no longer endangered! Poverty is a thing of the past! Religious indoctrination of children has been universally outlawed! Fairness, justice, respect and responsibility are practiced by everyone. Peace and love abound!
Anger and hatred have been banished!!
Everywhere there is joy, fun and fulfilment!
Creativity has replaced violence! Everywhere there is the hum of music, the delight of dance, the colourful hues of paint, the rhymes of poems and stories, stories, stories whispering on the wind!
There is a new positive zeitgeist!
The pen has proved mightier than the sword!
What a writer!!
| Top sellers list
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| Number 1 | In search of Captain Beefheart |
| Number 2 | Intergalactic Rockstar – Star Turn |
| Number 3 | Diary of a 60s Freak (As yet unreleased!!) |