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Jaqueline Zuniga

Professor Ditch

English 115

1 October 2018

Attaining Happiness Inside and Out

Happiness is a concept so complex that everyone defines differently. There might be a

true definition out there for happiness that may involve enjoyment and pleasure. Although there

is no straight definition or process on how to achieve happiness, everyone achieves happiness

differently. Authors in the Pursuing Happiness are giving us pointers so we can decide as people

what will benefit us in our everyday lives. Whether you believe happiness is achieved internally

or externally there are plenty of arguments for both. Reading articles from authors such as The

Dalai Lama and Howard Cutler, David Brooks, and Sonja Lyubomirsky all embody that

happiness comes internally while altering your space by focusing on yourself rather than

materialistic desires, in contrast Graham Hill emphasizes happiness comes externally, being

conjoined with your surroundings, transforming your space by paying more attention to life

experiences.

Notice as human beings we always want more, we see this present in the article by The

Dalai Lama and Howard Cutler. Breaking down the meaning of always wanting more in the

sense that we are never satisfied. In the article “The Source of Happiness” by The Dalai Lama

and Howard Cutler it states, “When our income suddenly jumps from $20,000 to $30,000 a year,

but it’s not the absolute amount of income that makes us happy, as we soon find out when we get

used to our new income and discover that we won’t be happy again unless we’re making $40,000
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a year” giving us a prime example of an unsatisfactory life (23). With this boost of money many

people think all their problems are solved and they could finally achieve lasting happiness, but

that is not correct according to the authors. These authors emphasize the need for happiness is

the need for something to be permeant and reliable not something that can fluctuate like money.

Eventually that excitement dies off and we want more, instead of focusing on ourselves we give

our attention to things we wished we had. These authors want people to alter their space by

stopping the need to “compare ourselves to others” and starting to notice the positive aspects of

their life; not what you wished you had but what you have (23). The authors focusing their

attention on the internal aspects that can help attain happiness not the money or luxuries but

rather yourself. They bring attention to our everyday decisions and what we should be asking our

self’s. If we as people take time to embrace life and be open minded, we open doors to ultimate

happiness while being receptive to all the ups and downs that comes with life. Taking time to

think of ourselves and what’s the greatest good for ourselves rather than others.

Considering life circumstances are not always the best, we need to benefit from life’s

struggles and find the good rather than dwell as we see in David Brooks article. Not taking the

good from unfortunate situations will leave you suffering. Now, David Brooks article address

suffering when unfortunate events happen and how to benefit from them. In Brooks article

“What Suffering Does” he mentions “suffering drags you deeper into yourself” identifying how

much you can discover (285). When going through hard times you spend a lot of time alone

ultimately leading to you learning about yourself. This benefits your happiness because the next

time you encounter such a problem you know how to deal with such a situation. Spending time

alone as David Brooks would say gives you a “sense of their own limitations” you know what
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you are capable of dealing with after having to deal with unfortunate situations (286). With going

through struggles and knowing your limitations we see how David Brooks wants people to spend

time with themselves and explore themselves. Transforming their space by taking more time to

learn and better themselves. Knowing how to deal suffering will eventually create a gateway to

happiness. Brooks suggestion to go through life with strength and not to avoid suffering brings

our attention to our internal space. With focusing on our self during hard times it allows someone

to really discover what they want and need in life for happiness.

Addressing life as only being revolved around circumstances and genetics is not all that

life is made of. Your behaviors and attitudes play a big role according to the author Sonja

Lyubomirsky. Choosing to do nothing but dwell on circumstances and genetics that you cannot

change is not a way to achieve happiness. This will only lead you to dwelling on circumstances

that are permenante. Sonja Lyubomirsky in the article “How Happy Are You and Why” brings

up research identifying that 10% of our happiness is determined by circumstances, 50% to set

points and 40% to intentional activity (184). With 40% still being in our control she emphasis

that 40% is ours to guide and change. Showing how that percent of our happiness has nothing to

do with external factors. If 40% is all ours it’s our job to make the best out of it because this is

something we can control. This author brings our attention to the way you chose to respond to

situation or act in certain life circumstances. Suggesting to alter our space by paying more

attention to our activity not necessarily our materials but what we do in our everyday life and see

if it makes us happy. Lyubomirsky focusing on how a good percentage of happiness is based on

us and only us not the external part of our life.

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Now taking a look at how impactful your external space is to your happiness is exactly

what Graham Hill is doing. Hill makes it important to emphasize the fact of lasting happiness.

Stopping and taking a look at your surrounding can definitely help you achieve happiness. All

the luxury items can only get us so far when it comes to happiness; ultimately the joy and

excitement it gives us is only temporary happiness. Putting more effort into the people around

you and paying more attention to the memories you create contribute to the happiness. Graham

Hill in the article, “Living with Less A Lot Less” states “We know that the best stuff in life isn’t

stuff at all and that relationships, experiences, and meaningful work are the staples of a happy

life” expressing how he truly achieved happiness (311). Although the materials were always a

plus when the luxuries left that was the ultimate time he found happiness. Hill wants us to alter

our way of spending our money. Hill doesn't agree with spending money on luxuries but rather

spending money to make memories that you will never forget and ultimately that memory will

become priceless. Hill is trying to get people to just shift their focus on their surroundings.

Instead of looking for happiness within take a look outside and everything you are around every

day. Hill wants us to focus on our eternal life for happiness to see where we can put more of our

effort toward. Transforming the space by focusing on creating happiness by our social

surrounding in the world.

Happiness can be achieved in many ways whether its internally or externally. Your

happiness can come from within or it come from outside. All authors put in valuable points to

take account of when trying to pursue your own happiness. Every attempt is different and every

attempt has its benefits. Ultimately all identify as an internal method or external. If you are

someone that believes it comes within, take a look at The Dalai Lama and Howard Cutler, David
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Brooks, and Sonja Lyubomirsky. While if you believe it can be achieved externally look at

Graham Hill. All these authors give us their views on how to achieve long term happiness and

how to transform our space. Now it is up to you to decide which works for you.
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Works Cited Page

Brooks, David. “What Suffering Does.” Pursuing happiness: a Bedford Spotlight Reader, by

Matthew Parfitt and Dawn Skorczewski, Bedford/St. Martin’s, a Macmillan Education

Imprint, 2016, pp. 284-87.

Hill, Graham. “Living with Less A Lot Less.” Pursuing happiness: a Bedford Spotlight Reader,

by Matthew Parfitt and Dawn Skorczewski, Bedford/St. Martin’s, a Macmillan Education

Imprint, 2016, pp. 308-13.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Cutler, Howard. “The Source of Happiness.” Pursuing

happiness: a Bedford Spotlight Reader, by Matthew Parfitt and Dawn Skorczewski,

Bedford/St. Martin’s, a Macmillan Education Imprint, 2016, pp. 21-33.

Lyubomirsky, Sonja. “How Happy are You and Why.” Pursuing happiness: a Bedford Spotlight

Reader, by Matthew Parfitt and Dawn Skorczewski, Bedford/St. Martin’s, a Macmillan

Education Imprint, 2016, pp. 179-197.