"Can all persons be happy?"
By Chun Yeung <jane1227@yahoo.com>
Can all persons be happy? The answer for this question is obviously "No". Otherwise, we will not hear all kinds of bad news in newspapers, magazines, TV or radio every day, bad news such as someone committing suicide, or someone being killed, and so on. Why can't all persons be happy? First of all, if all persons can be happy, then no one would really know that they are happy. In other words, there is no comparison between happy and sad; people will not know that they are having happy lives even if they are. From the time we were born, we learned to compare everything with everything else, and especially only made associations with the best, or someone who is better than us, and we never really made comparisons with the worst. That's why many people are not happy, because they cannot reach those goals that a life of comparisons has set for them in a short period of time, or they are never able to reach them.
Second, each individual is different from one another. Everyone has different personality, different perspective, and different expectations. Everyone wants different things, but not everyone gets what he or she wants all the time. Third, since this world is diverse, in order to decide something quickly, we have to follow majority rule. Most of the time, minority groups have to suffer from that rule.
I would like to tell a story called, "Great Lesson" by unknown author. It perfectly demonstrates my first two points.
One day a father and his rich family took his
son on a trip to the country with the firm purpose to
show him how poor people can be. They spent a day and
a night in the farm of a very poor family. When they
got back from their trip the father asked his son,
"How was the trip?"
"Very good Dad!"
"Did you see how poor people can be?" the father
asked.
"Yeah!"
"And what did you learn?"
The son answered, "I saw that we have a dog at home,
and they have four. We have a pool that reaches to
the middle of the garden, they have a creek that has
no end. We have imported lamps in the garden, they
have the stars. Our patio reaches to the front yard,
they have a whole horizon."
When the little boy was finishing, his father was
speechless. His son added, "Thanks Dad for showing
me how poor we are!"
Similarly, a little boy who is very happy with his simple toy, and lives in a little village might react if he saw the rich boy's house. For example, all his friends have similar simple toys. He thought he has a happy life until one day he discovers that a rich little boy plays a gameboy. Suddenly, he does not like his simple toys anymore. He wants to have a gamboy as well.
I believe that there is no necessary conditions which must be fulfilled for a person to obtain happiness. Some people have everything: plenty of money, a big, nice house, health, power and family. However, they are not happy. If you ask them why, they will tell you that they would rather go back to their old and simple lives. Some people have only some of these conditions, but they are happy with their lives. It really all depends on the way you look at things, and your attitude towards life. Some people were born with optimistic attitudes, they can find a little thing to be happy about, such as reading a friend's mail, or listening to a favorite song. Some people were born with pessimistic attitudes; they are not happy even if you give them everything. Some people will think that retarded people are not happy, and feel sorry for them. However, I think they may be happier than normal people. They have nothing to worry about; they do not strive for money and/or power. Their lives are simple as can be. When you get older, you will realize that the simplest thing is always the nicest thing in your life. For instance, I think that playing a little, simple game with friends is more fun than playing a gameboy alone.
For all these reasons, I conclude that it is impossible for all persons to be happy. Personally, I think to be happy is one's choice, if you have no expectations on anything, and you are a very easily satisfied person, then there is no disappointment, which means you will not be sad for whatever outcomes. After all, whether you live happily or sadly, your life will go on as usual. So why not choose to live happily instead of having a miserable life?
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Gina Baker <Daphine10@hotmail.com>I thought that your paper was very intresting. I liked the story you added. I agree with what you are saying. I don't think people can know happiness unless they feel sadness.
Nichole Sanders <snk79@hotmail.com>I loved your paper. It was very interesting and fulfilling for the soul. And the story was the nicest addition.
Anna C. Nance <eirendel@yahoo.com>The story was a nice touch and helped to illustrate your point. I agree that happines for everyone is impossible.
jennifer lester <lesterjennifer@hotmail.com>i believe the answer to the question is yes. the word "can" denotes ability, and i believe all persons have the ability to be happy. of course this may never occur, but yes it is possible.
Michael Tucker <tuckerm@greenwood.net>Nice paper! Your story was really good. I would have to agree with your paper.
Matthew Knight <mknight_dsb@hotmail.com>Very well written paper. I especialy enjoied the story included.
Tom Lundis <Kman26@hotmail.com>I believe the stoics would argue that all person COULD be happy. If people learned to look at the world in an accepting way they would be happy with their present conditions. But I believe it is unhappiness and unrest that causes people to strive and better themselves
Nick Hart <hart125@hotmail.com>So it if isn't for the bad times,we wouldn't know when the good times were?
Demetri Andrews <dandrews92@hotmail.com>Good Paper. I liked the way you used the idea of happiness as a standard--like the word "outstanding." If everyone's performance is outstanding, then no one's performance is outstanding.
Rachel Crowe <rcrowe@usa.net>Your paper was well written and well supported. I think, though, that if happiness is an attitude, then everyone could possibly be happy.
Tim Andrews <tandrews@emeraldis.com>I think that all people can attain happiness, but the road to happiness will definitely have its hardships.
Amy Young <bbfhyoung@yahoo,com>I have to agree with Janice that all people can not be happy all of the time. Her story added to and made her point nicely. I do not think that the example with retarded people is necessarily true. From our point of view, their lives may seem simple but like everyone else, we can never truly understand peoples’ internal struggles. Overall the paper was well put and defended.
Due Date <4/10/00>Formal Comments Completed
Michelle Komski <michellekomski@hotmail.com>I enjoyed your paper. I really liked to story you added. It made your argument more believable, and I completely agree with your position. I also believe you can't know what being happy feels like unless you have felt sadness.