Friday, June 26, 2009

Happiness or Character?


Happiness is wanted by all...as some get and some dont and most get it in bits and pieces or in different forms. Is this the only thing in life. I guess happiness is important but also important is a persons character, image or reputation. This is what you take away when you die and nothing else. Ancient Greeks has a lovely saying that "Call no man happy until he is dead". No one can guarantee that he is happy until he dies, no matter how strong he has been or how well he has faced served his country or community...the element of risk will always be there that life could end badly.



Character according to me is associated with happiness as happiness is a bonus package with it but sometimes not seen, on the other hand happiness can exist without character but for a limited period of time. I mean happiness is not the end of life, character is!!! Many a times people have risked a lot of things just for a few moments of fun. After a person dies neither happiness nor his character goes with him...as a matter of fact happiness dies the moment the person dies its only his character which stays here for ever. Its for his character the person is always remembered and is alive in the thoughts of people.

35 comments:

KB said...

I think both are important. Also, I think the degree of happiness a person feels depends alot on their character. Oh dear, I don't think I'm making any sense today.

NR said...

@ KB

lol...your right dear it depends on their character...
it is making sense..lol!!

Urmi said...

A very nice and beautiful post. I feel that both are very important and happiness depends on persons thinking and ofcourse character.Being sad doesn't helps to overcome from problems but if a person remains happy half of the problem gets solved.

Swatantra said...

Very deep thoughts!! Well written!!

NR said...

@ Babli

Thanks ya....yup both are important but u see with chac u get happiness

@Swatantra

Hey thanks Swatantra...

shilpa said...

i think both is important .Well both should go hand in hand depending on the circumtances but if the sitution demands to choose between one i think i will go for my character

Neha said...

the true test of your character is when u make others happy...a very nice subject nazish...

Varsha Vipins said...

Nice thoughts put together nazish..I think both are inter-related in a way..:)

JD said...

happiness makes the character of a man.. a person can pretend for a few days/moths or years but not forever.. his ultimate reality is bound to come out in the open sometime.. If the person is happy he'll be content. If he is contented he will make others happy..

its a cycle..

NR said...

@ Shilpa
thats where i think character overshadows happiness!!


@ Neha

absolutely and with that u even get happiness....thanks neha

@ Varsha Vipins
absolutely...n thanks for visiting my blog again.
do visit again!!

@ JD

i agree with u...its so true!!

Usha said...

When a person dies, the happiness need not necessarily die with him my friend. If he was a loved one, one who brought joys into the lives of others, his remembrance will bring a smile and that will be followed by happiness.

Great thoughts on the subject ;)

Keep Writing!

NR said...

@ Usha

actually both r important...but with character u definitely get happiness in the form of content!!!

Shabs.. said...

Thx for visiting ma blog.
Hmmm, I liked that Greek saying, and i think thats really true..nice topic and well written....
By the way I like those smileys (looks like they are on ur refrigerator:))

NR said...

@ Shabs

Thanks a lot...yup !!!

AnjuGandhi said...

Thanx for visiting my blog and leaving your comments.
happiness is a very subjective concetp. what gives you happiness may not give me.you are right character is more important.
but in today's materialistic world people are more concerned with temporary things.
rather people with lots of money and less of character are respected and known more than the ones with less money

Anonymous said...

I found your blog through Mimi's corner. I am very interested in India since I have affiliations with Sister of Charity of Nazareth in US who have missions in India and Napal. That is a very profound blog I ready today. I feel the reason for happiness, if one is true to character, is the feeling of being true to one's belief system. Our values are so deep and most of them come from family and faith, which is paramount in most lives. Come visit me in my little neck of the woods. Blessing
QMM

NR said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
NR said...

@ Anju Gandhi

Thanks a lot...i agree with u, people these days give more importance to materialistic things which is not important.

@Queenmothermamaw

Thanks a lot for visiting my blog and showing interest in India. Yup family is the source of all that we do n think!!!

sujata sengupta said...

Charcter meaning what? A life that is stringent and does not accomodate flaws in others? A life thats purely white and cannot tolerate the greys? If that is character, I dont agree, give me happiness anyday. Be responsible and be happy!!

NR said...

@ Sujata

U see, sometimes happiness comes at the cost of something which could be a big loss. Happiness at the expense of something is not happiness!!!

Thanks for tour comments...i appreciate.

Aparna said...

Most of the time happiness comes from innocent pleasures. Like chatting with old friends, watching your child grow, reading a good book.
If it comes out of hurting others, then it is not really happiness. It is a momentary selfish pleasure.

NR said...

@ Aparna

By doing all this, it will show what that person is made of and whts his chac...i agree with u!

Thanks for commenting!!

tc

Regina said...

Hi thanks. This is a nice post, (sometimes we need smiley for us to smile :))
Happiness must be within us.
And it's true our character will be remembered forever.

BTW the one I posted at monochrome is a bangle(for women) made of shells. I use the quote to illustrate an empty shells now has achieved greatness by becoming a fabulous accessories.:)

NR said...

@ Regina

Hey thanks a lot dear...!!

Anonymous said...

Mother Teresa was a wonderful woman. She is not of the same congregation of sisters that I am associated with. Their missions are similar and my friends have been in danger. I need to find out which town they are in. I know they have a big nursing school in the southeast of India. They just had big conference in Bangdalesh, I think that is how to spell it.
QMM

Deeps said...

That was a great post,Nazish...For me happiness and character go hand in hand.

If a person spreads happiness around him with his deeds and words,even if he dies I'm sure his goodwill will be enough to retain the happiness that he brought about!!
Gosh,Nazish am I making any sense at all??
You've really made me think,now!!

NR said...

@ QMM

Its Bangladesh!!!!

@ Deeps

lol...thanks deeps...yup i understood !! happiness is the source!!

A New Beginning said...

Beutifully written:)Keep up!!

Zeba said...

Hmmmmm. Interesting point.

NR said...

@ A New Beginning

Thanks a lot!!!!!Thanks for visiting my blog

@ Zeba Talkhani

Thanks for visiting my blog!!

Sakshi said...

God I don't want to think abt death as I am pretty happy blogging nonsense and making friends along the way and you made me think what character of mine ppl will think after I die?? well at least bloggers will think of my comments...sobs!! and give me happiness any day coz I like to be happy with little little things....

NR said...

@ Sakshi

lolz...dont worry good things happen with good ppl!!!

Urmi said...

Castle Hill is a lovely place.Ya walking is little stressful but once you reach on the top of the hill its amazing.At night it looks stunning.I have taken all the photos.I have a great passion for photography.
Waiting for your new post.Hope you are fit and fine now.

sangeeta said...

i think happiness is a state of ind and if you are open to it you can be happy with just a child's smile....you might have seen people who are so happiness tight(as in air tight)he he ...that they don't even notice that somebody is smiling at them.....
the character to me is the core value system of an individual....most of the times , i find, it is not related to the way we find happiness for ourselves...i may be wrong but i think the character is unshakable ...happy or not happy....

i liked the greek proverb you qouted.......

NR said...

@ Sangeetha

Thanks for your comments...