Americans say everyone has a right to these 3 fundamental things and I totally agree. But in today’s world just how much DO we want these? For example… Life. Does someone who rapes and murders children deserve to live? What about a dictator who has had thousands of people killed? Or on another planet altogether.. someone who’s sick, has been in an irreversible coma for years-don’t they also have the right to pass away or is their only right to Live? In Love, Liberty (i.e. Freedom), is a good thing in the sense Freedom to Love who you want, Freedom from restraints, Freedom to marry the one you love…But when it’s Love to give you your freedom…then it’s a different matter. Freedom to work.. But freedom from work? The Pursuit of Happiness…This is another fundamental thing. We have the right to go after what makes us happy…… but inevitably, our dreams are nightmares for another person. So if we both pursue this happiness and want the same thing, chances are one person will be happy against another or tens, hundreds.. maybe thousands. I always think of an ex boyfriend’s train journey- I was in a terrible state at one end of his journey-but on the other end, another was happy because of his arrival.The Pursuit of Happiness is chasing a dream. But in my case I can say that I can spend years after a dream, lusting over this one detail-and never feeling fulfilled because this thing is missing-even if everything else is wonderful (it never actually is..!) But the moment a miracle occurs and this dream is realised…then it’s time to pursue another dream. And here goes another few years of chasing… until I get what I want… then again.. and again. How many happinesses are we pursuing in life?Are we allowed the pursuit of only one? And seeing as the dreams fulfilled give us little more than half a day of pleasure, Then… what actually IS happiness? A moments pleasure? We spend our lives pursuing a moment of pleasure? Or different moments of pleasure if we’ve been good? Do we get bonus moments?... Do we get a set number when we’re born? Are they the same number for everyone?... cos it doesn’t seem like it. And if not-WHY has someone got more Moments than me? Did they get more points in an Angel test before we were born? Or are Eastern philosophies The Truth-i.e. they must have been good in their past life and I was a Psycho?.. ..Or are the results based on what we actually go after.. what our happiness involves? But even on this case I’m short changed… I don’t want to be J.Lo, or Rich and Famous… I don’t want to rule the world. I just want the 3 fundamental things in life that we should be entitled to… Love, Health and to own a chain of exclusive, top, international, fashion forward, designer stores…! …………So where’s my moment???
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- 2008-02-07 @ 15:36:58
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- 2008-02-09 @ 18:36:32
The pursuit of happiness trap is actually what causes so much pain the world - it is the hunger of unfulfilled desires. Find a way to stop wanting things and the pain of not getting will disappear, and oddly enough, without the desire, happiness may emerge.

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- 2008-02-16 @ 23:17:41
That's a very Buddhist way of thinking...and judging by their serene state-maybe it's something to follow..
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- 2008-02-17 @ 09:26:20
Unfortunately, its easier said than done. I find it can be a useful way of thinking about things and getting some perspective when I can't quite see what is frustrating me about a situation. I think its important not to overdo it, though, for two reasons: denying desires can be a denial of basic human instincts like love, which is an essential part of our identity as human beings. Buddhist practices can also lead some people who have not been able to find a balance in their lives, to be surprisingly selfish and even amoral!
adebayo
Quite profound. But oncew you have found love and health you do not need an exclusive chain of designer stores. I think what you need in a nut shell is happiness. This take care of love, health and Riches or designer stores.Cheers