Title: Happiness
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
Size: 8 x 11 inches
Artist: betsisanders 09
According to Aristotle, there are three forms of happiness. First -- is a life of pleasure and enjoyment. Second -- is a life as a free and responsible citizen. Third -- is a life as a thinker or philosopher. He emphasized that all these three forms must be present at the same time for man to find happiness and fulfillment.
The first form, a life of pleasure and enjoyment. This probably occurs early on in one's life. During childhood, where 'playing' is all that the child wants to do. As he grows older and becomes a teenager or goes off to college, he still plays,.... party all the time, hang out with friends, bar hop, take all forms of intoxication, if only to feel happy. Most people, get stuck in this period of their lives. They are unable to break the habits, smoking, drinking, partying all night, even taking drugs. They get older but remain in this period of their life.
The sec0nd form, life as a free and responsible citizen. What this probably means, is that the child has become an adult, has chosen to live his own life, away from his parents and siblings, has taken a job, gotten married, and is now raising a family. He is now a responsible individual and free to live the life he has dreamed about in his younger days.
The third form, life as a thinker and a philosopher. I am at this stage in life where my mind is filled with many thoughts. I used to have only negative thoughts. I thought that this was just part of menopause, where emotions overwhelm me, where I question my existence,and even reached a point that I doubted my own faith. I searched for the meaning of life, I asked myself if I have a purpose, I wondered what would happen after death. The happiness, enjoyment, merriment during younger days weren't enough to bring me the happiness that I yearned for.
I bought and read self help books, prayer books, inspirational books, philosophy books, and even books on Buddhism. I took art lessons to silence my mind, the thinker in my mind. I kept on doing anything that will preoccupy my mind and divert the thoughts. I read and learned about all sorts of meditation techniques. ... I did anything and everything to make me happy. Only to find out that happiness is never found outside the self. It is in all of us. We just have to choose to be happy.
After much soul searching, I know that I am very happy. All the three forms of happiness that Aristotle mentioned are simultaneously occurring in my life now.
>>>>>
The other day, I watched Transformers with my son. It was very entertaining. Many intelligent and smart people worked together to come up with a fascinating, exciting, fast paced movie. It is not just a movie about robots, but also about humanity, man's human nature, man's capability to love, help, and fight for what is right.
About 15 minutes before the movie ended, the lead star got wounded and was dying. His girlfriend was crying, weeping, wailing, screaming and holding on to him, hoping that he wouldn't die. I suddenly found myself crying. Tears flowed down my cheeks. I kept very still, very quiet... didn't want my son to see me crying while watching a "robot" movie.
My mind was suddenly filled with many thoughts.... I saw my Dad. I remembered the video that my sister sent me. Dad didn't want to say anything in the video. He just waved and said "Goodbye", then turned his head towards the side, the video stopped. I saw a very lonely old person. I saw an old man, who is at the end of his life.... then I remembered my sisters and their families who are all so far away, suddenly missed them all, and wished that they were near me. More thoughts flashed through my mind. I saw my best friends next and felt their love for me. I saw Boyet and Alvin, and was so grateful to have them. I felt needed and loved. .. Then again, frenemies appeared in my thoughts. Instead of feeling anger, I only felt sadness. I didn't have the monstrous thought of assassinating them, but instead, I wished them well and hoped that someday, they will understand me. That someday, forgiveness shall free me. That one day, I will be able to fully forgive them too.... Then I thought of writing my last will. I thought of writing each and every individual that has been a part of my wonderful life. Then the tears stopped flowing. I felt relieved. Despite the negative emotions that went through my mind, in the end, I felt happiness.
Then the movie ended. I didn't see how Optimus Prime defeated Megatron. I was so lost in thought, that, I was not present. I had to ask Alvin how the movie ended, because all I saw were the credits, the lights of the movie house being turned on, and people rushing to get out of the theatre :(. I told Alvin that Mom just had another 'attention deficit moment'.
I cry a lot... it is a way to release my emotions, so I can go back to being functional, loving, caring and happy. Those people who mind what I say 0r do, don't matter. But those who don't mind, matter.
Live, love and be happy always :)
June 27 (dawn)... betsisanders 09
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
Size: 8 x 11 inches
Artist: betsisanders 09
According to Aristotle, there are three forms of happiness. First -- is a life of pleasure and enjoyment. Second -- is a life as a free and responsible citizen. Third -- is a life as a thinker or philosopher. He emphasized that all these three forms must be present at the same time for man to find happiness and fulfillment.
The first form, a life of pleasure and enjoyment. This probably occurs early on in one's life. During childhood, where 'playing' is all that the child wants to do. As he grows older and becomes a teenager or goes off to college, he still plays,.... party all the time, hang out with friends, bar hop, take all forms of intoxication, if only to feel happy. Most people, get stuck in this period of their lives. They are unable to break the habits, smoking, drinking, partying all night, even taking drugs. They get older but remain in this period of their life.
The sec0nd form, life as a free and responsible citizen. What this probably means, is that the child has become an adult, has chosen to live his own life, away from his parents and siblings, has taken a job, gotten married, and is now raising a family. He is now a responsible individual and free to live the life he has dreamed about in his younger days.
The third form, life as a thinker and a philosopher. I am at this stage in life where my mind is filled with many thoughts. I used to have only negative thoughts. I thought that this was just part of menopause, where emotions overwhelm me, where I question my existence,and even reached a point that I doubted my own faith. I searched for the meaning of life, I asked myself if I have a purpose, I wondered what would happen after death. The happiness, enjoyment, merriment during younger days weren't enough to bring me the happiness that I yearned for.
I bought and read self help books, prayer books, inspirational books, philosophy books, and even books on Buddhism. I took art lessons to silence my mind, the thinker in my mind. I kept on doing anything that will preoccupy my mind and divert the thoughts. I read and learned about all sorts of meditation techniques. ... I did anything and everything to make me happy. Only to find out that happiness is never found outside the self. It is in all of us. We just have to choose to be happy.
After much soul searching, I know that I am very happy. All the three forms of happiness that Aristotle mentioned are simultaneously occurring in my life now.
>>>>>
The other day, I watched Transformers with my son. It was very entertaining. Many intelligent and smart people worked together to come up with a fascinating, exciting, fast paced movie. It is not just a movie about robots, but also about humanity, man's human nature, man's capability to love, help, and fight for what is right.
About 15 minutes before the movie ended, the lead star got wounded and was dying. His girlfriend was crying, weeping, wailing, screaming and holding on to him, hoping that he wouldn't die. I suddenly found myself crying. Tears flowed down my cheeks. I kept very still, very quiet... didn't want my son to see me crying while watching a "robot" movie.
My mind was suddenly filled with many thoughts.... I saw my Dad. I remembered the video that my sister sent me. Dad didn't want to say anything in the video. He just waved and said "Goodbye", then turned his head towards the side, the video stopped. I saw a very lonely old person. I saw an old man, who is at the end of his life.... then I remembered my sisters and their families who are all so far away, suddenly missed them all, and wished that they were near me. More thoughts flashed through my mind. I saw my best friends next and felt their love for me. I saw Boyet and Alvin, and was so grateful to have them. I felt needed and loved. .. Then again, frenemies appeared in my thoughts. Instead of feeling anger, I only felt sadness. I didn't have the monstrous thought of assassinating them, but instead, I wished them well and hoped that someday, they will understand me. That someday, forgiveness shall free me. That one day, I will be able to fully forgive them too.... Then I thought of writing my last will. I thought of writing each and every individual that has been a part of my wonderful life. Then the tears stopped flowing. I felt relieved. Despite the negative emotions that went through my mind, in the end, I felt happiness.
Then the movie ended. I didn't see how Optimus Prime defeated Megatron. I was so lost in thought, that, I was not present. I had to ask Alvin how the movie ended, because all I saw were the credits, the lights of the movie house being turned on, and people rushing to get out of the theatre :(. I told Alvin that Mom just had another 'attention deficit moment'.
I cry a lot... it is a way to release my emotions, so I can go back to being functional, loving, caring and happy. Those people who mind what I say 0r do, don't matter. But those who don't mind, matter.
Live, love and be happy always :)
June 27 (dawn)... betsisanders 09
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