WHICH WAS HAPPINESS?

“Yes, welcome, young people!

The name of this morning's workshop is called

"What is happiness?", said lecturer Alper and he talked about five different stories;

- One is Aysel, twenty-three years old, cashier, works twenty hours a week.

She is divorced and lives with her three-year-old son. She is preparing for nursing exams.

She spends her holidays either with her family or camping.

- Another one is Mehmet, twenty-nine years old, single.

He worked for a large brand company selling electronic devices for five years.

He has been actively playing in the basketball club for twenty-two years and he’s training children. The only thing that takes up his life is basketball.

He has neither the time nor the situation to go on holiday.

- The other one is Emre, he is thirty-five years old. He is married to Merve. They have three children aged nine, five and two. He is a long distance driver. He took paternity leave from work for the birth of his third child. They are barely making ends meet.

He loves fishing. They spend their holidays in places where they can fish, such as streams and lakes. 

- There is also Ufuk; forty-four years old. He lives alone. He is the general manager of a small company that produces computer programs, sixty kilometers away from his home. He manages a team of computer programmers.

He monthly earns seven times the minimum wage. He works almost sixty hours a week. Sometimes he returns home late. He has three children and is in the process of divorcing his wife. Every year, he goes on holiday abroad for three weeks.

He spends one week with his family and one week skiing.

- Selçuk has a great inheritance from his parents. He devoted himself to stamp collecting.

- Now, tell me; Who do you think is the happiest person among these five stories, including the reasons?

Filiz raised her hand and spoke up;

- Of course Mehmet, she said.

- He doesn't have the opportunity to go on holiday, but at least he has a hobby that will give him pleasure in life and this has turned into his profession.

He probably wakes up happy every day.

When Filiz finished her speech, lecturer Alper asked:

- So, does every pleasure last forever?

There was a commotion in the classroom. Ali wanted to speak;

- It can't last, sir, one day something will happen that will upset him.

- Sir, I think Ufuk is the happiest, said Serdar.

- He doesn't consider money as money and goes on holiday as he wishes.

Tuna asked for permission to reply on Serdar;

- I think Emre is the happiest, sir. It's hard to make ends meet, but at least he has a family to spend good time with

Anıl, on the other hand, thought that Selçuk is happy because he became rich without making any effort.

- Okay, said lecturer Alper,

What happens if all these things that you think are the reason for happiness are taken away from them one day?

- They will be unhappy, sir.

- In this case, can we say that their happiness depends on concrete things?

So they enjoy the tangible things they have, but they are unhappy when they get what they want and can't achieve more, right?

Alright, can a person be happy all the time?

What will make us always happy?

Experiential Design Teaching says; A person becomes happy as long as he owns the truth.

Reality is abstract, and abstract things are superior to concrete things.

I may lose my job today, but if I know the real strategies of starting a business, I can get back on my feet.

In happiness, there are momentary pains, but the pleasures are permanent. Despite the pain, there is a constant happiness that keeps me going.

Or I would be buying permanent pain in exchange for momentary pleasures.

When you look at it from the outside, it seems like there is a life that seems full of fun, pleasure and brightness at the moment... However, when you get inside, there is a constant feeling of restlessness, emptiness and meaninglessness...

Whereas, when you see happy people from the outside, their lives are simple, calm, temporary effort but overall peaceful...

If you look at the moments of both lives, you will be wrong. In the moment, pleasure trumps happiness. However, if we do not live in this world for a short term, we need a lifetime of satisfaction.

"That's why in the long run, no pleasure can compete with happiness, kids!"