DIY-HP-LED
Well-Known Member
We live in a materialist society and advertising constantly reinforces the idea that things bring happiness, hence the happy smiling people in ads. Happiness is an end however, it has no ulterior motive and cannot be attained through material means, material well being can only set the stage for happiness, caring for others is it's wellspring. We evolved as social beings and nature designed us to live in and contribute to the well being of our families and communities and thus attain pleasure and happiness from it. There is a difference between pleasure and happiness, pleasure is ephemeral and needs an external source, happiness comes from with in and has to do with how we relate to ourselves and others. For normally socialized people to feel right within ourselves, we must do right by others who share our lives.
Much of pleasure comes from it's anticipation, it is the anticipation of the reward that made your ancient ancestor swim the river and climb the tree to obtain the brightly colored sweet fruit. Once eaten, the pleasure of the tenth fruit is much less than the first. Pleasure cannot last, or we would not survive, we need the next meal and the next sexual encounter, if pleasure lasted we would not be able to survive, thus it is ephemeral. Most alcoholics and addicts are addicted to the anticipation of pleasure, once the desired object is attained, they are invariably disappointed after the first few minutes.
