N****f
发帖数: 25759 | 1 What is happiness?
An age-old question, indeed. Some would even say it is the eternal
question that has nagged the collective mind of mankind throughout
history, giving rise to everything from grandiose churches to seedy
brothels in the process. So far, the best answer I have ever heard to
that question is one that I have cited many times in this forum, from
an old professor who kept working and teaching well into his 70s
despite being legally blind: "Happiness is a state of mind, not a
situation."
Recently there has been quite a bit of discussion on MITBBS,
especially on the Returnee board, about whether one would lead
a happier life here in the US or back in China. I read some of the
posts with passing interest and, frankly, found myself strangely
aloof to the various talking points raised in them, despite the
heated debates they are setting off all over this forum.
A large part of that, I am sure, can be chalked up for the generation
gap, for if you realize that half of your life expectancy is already well
behind you, the ability to speak your mind on anything and everything
without worrying about a mandatory chat with the proper authorities,
or the ability to have hapless young ladies lining up to exchange
favors with you on a daily basis, suddenly does not seem to matter
all that much any more. Instead, happiness becomes much more
about the daily trivia that help you get into the right state of mind,
however insignificant they might seem in the larger scheme of life.
Last Friday night, I was driving home with my son and little daughter
after an open-air concert. Earlier that day, the renters who live in our
old house had called to report some troubling news about one of the
A/C units. Shortly before that, one of my company's major clients had
asked for a deep cut on a long-overdue invoice because of financial
hardships on his part. And the day prior to that, our entire team had
been royally disappointed to learn that a sizable contract had gone to
a competitor instead of us.
On that Friday night, however, I was perfectly happy, so much so that
I decided to write down these lines to commemorate the occasion when
I would get around to it. Why the happy-go-lucky attitude? Well…
It was because when I came home after work, I found out that my wife
had made my favorite Indonesian noodles before heading off to her
graveyard shift at the hospital. It was because the dusk turned out so
pleasantly cool that I felt obliged to take my daughter and our dog for
a walk in the neighborhood. It was because half way down the block I
suddenly remembered that the Ballet Folklórico del Pacífico would be
performing at the summer music festival nearby. It was because when
the three of us arrived at the packed amphitheater minutes before the
performance was to start, we were surprised to find a stretch of open
seats right in front of the stage. It was because of the way a certain
little girl's face lit up at the sight of the dancers cheerfully swirling
their colorful long skirts and waving their broad-brimmed sombreros,
sending the adoring crowds into frenzy after frenzy with their athleticism,
skills, and artistry. Right then and there, happiness was as simple as the
first sip from an ice-cold Tecate while the mariachi music blasted from
the speakers and the dancers tapped their boots in perfect unison on
stage, together giving a loud and irresistible lecture on the gotta-enjoy-
the-moment-come-hell-or-high-water way of life. All these, mind you,
made me very happy.
I guess I am just getting old, but I really do not mind. |
N****f
发帖数: 25759 | 2 Here is an excerpt of the Ballet Folklórico del Pacífico
performing at the same venue three years ago:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gD6EOUp2Qgg
Not the best videography, but you get the idea. |
m**y
发帖数: 18546 | 3 good
【在 N****f 的大作中提到】
: What is happiness?
: An age-old question, indeed. Some would even say it is the eternal
: question that has nagged the collective mind of mankind throughout
: history, giving rise to everything from grandiose churches to seedy
: brothels in the process. So far, the best answer I have ever heard to
: that question is one that I have cited many times in this forum, from
: an old professor who kept working and teaching well into his 70s
: despite being legally blind: "Happiness is a state of mind, not a
: situation."
: Recently there has been quite a bit of discussion on MITBBS,
|
N****f
发帖数: 25759 | 4 Thanks!
By the way, I happened to come across your pictures from the
front page...very pretty! :-)
【在 m**y 的大作中提到】
: good
|
m**y
发帖数: 18546 | 5 ：） thanks
【在 N****f 的大作中提到】
: Thanks!
: By the way, I happened to come across your pictures from the
: front page...very pretty! :-)
|
p****c
发帖数: 137 | 6 super zan!
thanks for sharing..
can't agree more
happiness is a mentality, although it is very hard to achieve :) |
s**********n
发帖数: 3199 | 7 dont care
每天勉强不死对我已经不是简单事情，达不到思考浮云的程度，哈哈。
等我父母飞升，就看我心情，高兴的话就忍耐一下再多被玩几天，不高兴就不淹留了。
,
the
【在 N****f 的大作中提到】
: What is happiness?
: An age-old question, indeed. Some would even say it is the eternal
: question that has nagged the collective mind of mankind throughout
: history, giving rise to everything from grandiose churches to seedy
: brothels in the process. So far, the best answer I have ever heard to
: that question is one that I have cited many times in this forum, from
: an old professor who kept working and teaching well into his 70s
: despite being legally blind: "Happiness is a state of mind, not a
: situation."
: Recently there has been quite a bit of discussion on MITBBS,
|
g**s
发帖数: 512 | 8 "从前有一个人叫包子，他觉得很饿，就把自己给吃了。从前有个人叫冰棍儿，天太热
，他就去游泳，结果他就化了。"
【在 s**********n 的大作中提到】
: dont care
: 每天勉强不死对我已经不是简单事情，达不到思考浮云的程度，哈哈。
: 等我父母飞升，就看我心情，高兴的话就忍耐一下再多被玩几天，不高兴就不淹留了。
:
: ,
: the
|
h*********r
发帖数: 7786 | 9 话说好死不如赖活着
现在不方便打字, 晚上多些一些我的想法与你分享
【在 s**********n 的大作中提到】
: dont care
: 每天勉强不死对我已经不是简单事情，达不到思考浮云的程度，哈哈。
: 等我父母飞升，就看我心情，高兴的话就忍耐一下再多被玩几天，不高兴就不淹留了。
:
: ,
: the
|
J******s
发帖数: 7538 | 10 狼兄未老，不过体验到了人生的本质！学习了，赞！
【在 N****f 的大作中提到】
: What is happiness?
: An age-old question, indeed. Some would even say it is the eternal
: question that has nagged the collective mind of mankind throughout
: history, giving rise to everything from grandiose churches to seedy
: brothels in the process. So far, the best answer I have ever heard to
: that question is one that I have cited many times in this forum, from
: an old professor who kept working and teaching well into his 70s
: despite being legally blind: "Happiness is a state of mind, not a
: situation."
: Recently there has been quite a bit of discussion on MITBBS,
|
|
|
A***a
发帖数: 1647 | 11 狼兄达到新的境界了~
【在 N****f 的大作中提到】
: What is happiness?
: An age-old question, indeed. Some would even say it is the eternal
: question that has nagged the collective mind of mankind throughout
: history, giving rise to everything from grandiose churches to seedy
: brothels in the process. So far, the best answer I have ever heard to
: that question is one that I have cited many times in this forum, from
: an old professor who kept working and teaching well into his 70s
: despite being legally blind: "Happiness is a state of mind, not a
: situation."
: Recently there has been quite a bit of discussion on MITBBS,
|
s*******s
发帖数: 5087 | 12 狼兄V5!
【在 N****f 的大作中提到】
: What is happiness?
: An age-old question, indeed. Some would even say it is the eternal
: question that has nagged the collective mind of mankind throughout
: history, giving rise to everything from grandiose churches to seedy
: brothels in the process. So far, the best answer I have ever heard to
: that question is one that I have cited many times in this forum, from
: an old professor who kept working and teaching well into his 70s
: despite being legally blind: "Happiness is a state of mind, not a
: situation."
: Recently there has been quite a bit of discussion on MITBBS,
|
h*********r
发帖数: 7786 | 13 我打算瞎扯几句。我个人认为，一直纠结什么是快乐的人必定是不快乐的。更精确一些
说，不满足的。既然Happiness is a state of mind，那么注定了这种状态不能持久。
人的想法千变万化，念头升起又落下，很难保持恒定不变。就象楼主说的，一天能发生
很多让你的情绪起伏的事情。凡人是很难做到保持一颗平常心的。苦中做乐也是快乐，
只不过，它没有那么纯粹而已。
走过路过，瞎说一气。
【在 N****f 的大作中提到】
: What is happiness?
: An age-old question, indeed. Some would even say it is the eternal
: question that has nagged the collective mind of mankind throughout
: history, giving rise to everything from grandiose churches to seedy
: brothels in the process. So far, the best answer I have ever heard to
: that question is one that I have cited many times in this forum, from
: an old professor who kept working and teaching well into his 70s
: despite being legally blind: "Happiness is a state of mind, not a
: situation."
: Recently there has been quite a bit of discussion on MITBBS,
|
A*****1
发帖数: 1738 | 14 崇拜。复制，粘帖，存档，收藏。每天拿出来念念，以提高英语水平：）真快乐啊。。。
【在 N****f 的大作中提到】
: What is happiness?
: An age-old question, indeed. Some would even say it is the eternal
: question that has nagged the collective mind of mankind throughout
: history, giving rise to everything from grandiose churches to seedy
: brothels in the process. So far, the best answer I have ever heard to
: that question is one that I have cited many times in this forum, from
: an old professor who kept working and teaching well into his 70s
: despite being legally blind: "Happiness is a state of mind, not a
: situation."
: Recently there has been quite a bit of discussion on MITBBS,
|
s**********n
发帖数: 3199 | 15 我高中的某一天忽然想到一个问题：人为什么活着。我当时也已经听说这个问题据说吸
引了古往今来不少闲人。可是我并不闲，每天都在“上学还是不要上学”（爸妈比较随
意，我不高兴，就帮我请教翘课），“这块肉要不要吃”诸如此类“布鲁丹骡子”的问
题间繁忙挣扎。
为此我感到困惑，不是困惑于这个“人为什么活着”的问题本身，而是困惑如此气质的
问题何以有闲登门叨扰？
也许是我要判断的问题太多，需要决策太多；也许是我脑容量太小，一次只能考虑一个
问题；我决定给这个问题留个后门，因此我做出如下决定“假设我已经解决了人为什么
活着”这个问题，此刻，我会考虑什么呢？
在这以后很多年：我带着这个假设这个后门，拜访了很多死去的前辈，行过很多桥，很
多风光。
这个假设和我本人似乎在长时间的旅行中都感到疲惫和浑噩。
【在 h*********r 的大作中提到】
: 我打算瞎扯几句。我个人认为，一直纠结什么是快乐的人必定是不快乐的。更精确一些
: 说，不满足的。既然Happiness is a state of mind，那么注定了这种状态不能持久。
: 人的想法千变万化，念头升起又落下，很难保持恒定不变。就象楼主说的，一天能发生
: 很多让你的情绪起伏的事情。凡人是很难做到保持一颗平常心的。苦中做乐也是快乐，
: 只不过，它没有那么纯粹而已。
: 走过路过，瞎说一气。
|
s*****w
发帖数: 2065 | 16 呵呵，你的假设很不错，学习了。
这个版要成了哲学版了？
【在 s**********n 的大作中提到】
: 我高中的某一天忽然想到一个问题：人为什么活着。我当时也已经听说这个问题据说吸
: 引了古往今来不少闲人。可是我并不闲，每天都在“上学还是不要上学”（爸妈比较随
: 意，我不高兴，就帮我请教翘课），“这块肉要不要吃”诸如此类“布鲁丹骡子”的问
: 题间繁忙挣扎。
: 为此我感到困惑，不是困惑于这个“人为什么活着”的问题本身，而是困惑如此气质的
: 问题何以有闲登门叨扰？
: 也许是我要判断的问题太多，需要决策太多；也许是我脑容量太小，一次只能考虑一个
: 问题；我决定给这个问题留个后门，因此我做出如下决定“假设我已经解决了人为什么
: 活着”这个问题，此刻，我会考虑什么呢？
: 在这以后很多年：我带着这个假设这个后门，拜访了很多死去的前辈，行过很多桥，很
|
s**********n
发帖数: 3199 | 17 k,我最讨厌的学科啊。仅次于我对理科的讨厌啊。 |
s*****w
发帖数: 2065 | 18 你不知道古代的数学家都是哲学家么？
哲学不同于政治，你是不是概念混淆了。
【在 s**********n 的大作中提到】
: k,我最讨厌的学科啊。仅次于我对理科的讨厌啊。
|
s**********n
发帖数: 3199 | 19 毕达哥拉斯，万物皆数？我没记错的话，无理数的发现和毕达哥拉斯学派有点关系。
哲学在蒙昧时期探路还可以，正经做研究就太惨了，比如对无穷的认识，等到19c末20c
初数学分析的基础搞定，cantor一出手，古希腊的那些关于无穷的哲学讨论立即显得非
常幼稚了。
逻辑学也是，数理逻辑，尤其是和计算机，计算机语言发展搭在一起，经典哲学家们搞
的逻辑惨不忍睹。
【在 s*****w 的大作中提到】
: 你不知道古代的数学家都是哲学家么？
: 哲学不同于政治，你是不是概念混淆了。
|
s*****w
发帖数: 2065 | 20 哈哈，说深了我就不懂了。
你说的都是数理逻辑吧，what is happiness应该不属于这个范畴的。。。
20c
【在 s**********n 的大作中提到】
: 毕达哥拉斯，万物皆数？我没记错的话，无理数的发现和毕达哥拉斯学派有点关系。
: 哲学在蒙昧时期探路还可以，正经做研究就太惨了，比如对无穷的认识，等到19c末20c
: 初数学分析的基础搞定，cantor一出手，古希腊的那些关于无穷的哲学讨论立即显得非
: 常幼稚了。
: 逻辑学也是，数理逻辑，尤其是和计算机，计算机语言发展搭在一起，经典哲学家们搞
: 的逻辑惨不忍睹。
|
|
|
s**********n
发帖数: 3199 | 21 呃，我上面“k 点点点”确实有点开玩笑的意思，不好意思，刚才认真的毛病又发作了
，就不自觉的忽悠熟悉的事物去了，哈哈。
【在 s*****w 的大作中提到】
: 哈哈，说深了我就不懂了。
: 你说的都是数理逻辑吧，what is happiness应该不属于这个范畴的。。。
:
: 20c
|
M*4
发帖数: 1457 | 22 狼兄很放得开， 当然是幸福之人
【在 N****f 的大作中提到】
: What is happiness?
: An age-old question, indeed. Some would even say it is the eternal
: question that has nagged the collective mind of mankind throughout
: history, giving rise to everything from grandiose churches to seedy
: brothels in the process. So far, the best answer I have ever heard to
: that question is one that I have cited many times in this forum, from
: an old professor who kept working and teaching well into his 70s
: despite being legally blind: "Happiness is a state of mind, not a
: situation."
: Recently there has been quite a bit of discussion on MITBBS,
|
w*******o
发帖数: 3222 | 23 这个英文，让我觉得自己小学毕业
【在 N****f 的大作中提到】
: What is happiness?
: An age-old question, indeed. Some would even say it is the eternal
: question that has nagged the collective mind of mankind throughout
: history, giving rise to everything from grandiose churches to seedy
: brothels in the process. So far, the best answer I have ever heard to
: that question is one that I have cited many times in this forum, from
: an old professor who kept working and teaching well into his 70s
: despite being legally blind: "Happiness is a state of mind, not a
: situation."
: Recently there has been quite a bit of discussion on MITBBS,
|
T********e
发帖数: 3677 | 24 当年的思考都成了尘土，送首歌
《老男孩》
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=an_VR2gra8A
一些
久。
发生
乐，
【在 s**********n 的大作中提到】
: 我高中的某一天忽然想到一个问题：人为什么活着。我当时也已经听说这个问题据说吸
: 引了古往今来不少闲人。可是我并不闲，每天都在“上学还是不要上学”（爸妈比较随
: 意，我不高兴，就帮我请教翘课），“这块肉要不要吃”诸如此类“布鲁丹骡子”的问
: 题间繁忙挣扎。
: 为此我感到困惑，不是困惑于这个“人为什么活着”的问题本身，而是困惑如此气质的
: 问题何以有闲登门叨扰？
: 也许是我要判断的问题太多，需要决策太多；也许是我脑容量太小，一次只能考虑一个
: 问题；我决定给这个问题留个后门，因此我做出如下决定“假设我已经解决了人为什么
: 活着”这个问题，此刻，我会考虑什么呢？
: 在这以后很多年：我带着这个假设这个后门，拜访了很多死去的前辈，行过很多桥，很
|
g**s
发帖数: 512 | 25 高人啊，看你上一篇还以为你忧郁呢，原来是忧郁后遗症：）
【在 s**********n 的大作中提到】
: 我高中的某一天忽然想到一个问题：人为什么活着。我当时也已经听说这个问题据说吸
: 引了古往今来不少闲人。可是我并不闲，每天都在“上学还是不要上学”（爸妈比较随
: 意，我不高兴，就帮我请教翘课），“这块肉要不要吃”诸如此类“布鲁丹骡子”的问
: 题间繁忙挣扎。
: 为此我感到困惑，不是困惑于这个“人为什么活着”的问题本身，而是困惑如此气质的
: 问题何以有闲登门叨扰？
: 也许是我要判断的问题太多，需要决策太多；也许是我脑容量太小，一次只能考虑一个
: 问题；我决定给这个问题留个后门，因此我做出如下决定“假设我已经解决了人为什么
: 活着”这个问题，此刻，我会考虑什么呢？
: 在这以后很多年：我带着这个假设这个后门，拜访了很多死去的前辈，行过很多桥，很
|
N****f
发帖数: 25759 | 26 这个……还是多加再几根风筝线更好，呵呵。
【在 s**********n 的大作中提到】
: dont care
: 每天勉强不死对我已经不是简单事情，达不到思考浮云的程度，哈哈。
: 等我父母飞升，就看我心情，高兴的话就忍耐一下再多被玩几天，不高兴就不淹留了。
:
: ,
: the
|
N****f
发帖数: 25759 | 27 看到一个关键词：平常心。其实归根结底，就是一个平常心最重要。人非
神佛，无法真正做到眼观万物而皆不为所动，但每天大事小事纷纭不断，
如果都跟着情绪起伏，着实奉陪不起。幸好人心自有两样法宝与生俱来，
可以用来招架日常琐事：
1. The ability to zoom out on life for a bigger picture—and to zoom
out again and again until you get the desired effect. 华山一块顽石不
见得有什么雄奇之处，zoom out之后就是另一番气象。若嫌华山缺粮少水，
再zoom out到八百里秦川如何？还不满意的话，再zoom out到九百六十万
神州如何？还不过瘾，地球和其它七大行星相比，总该算是得天独厚。Zoom
out到一定程度，原来那块顽石究竟美丑如何，早已微不足道。庄子云：
“夫物，量无穷，时无止，分无常，终始无故。
是故大知观于远近，故小而不寡，大而不多，知量无穷。
证向今故，故遥而不闷，掇而不岐，知时无止。
察乎盈虚，故得而不喜，失而不忧，知分之无常也。
明乎坦塗，故生而不悦，死而不祸，知终始之不可故也。”
是之谓也。:-)
2. The ability to pick and choose what to register. You cannot control
what happened, but you can control how you think it happened. 万泉
齐下，其中必然有苦有甜。只取其中一瓢或几瓢饮之，其余滋味不佳的，一律
当漱口水吐出，任其桥下流去可也。俺那一通洋洋自得的文字里，也没提到那
天晚上绕场三匝才勉强找到个停车位，呵呵。
【在 h*********r 的大作中提到】
: 我打算瞎扯几句。我个人认为，一直纠结什么是快乐的人必定是不快乐的。更精确一些
: 说，不满足的。既然Happiness is a state of mind，那么注定了这种状态不能持久。
: 人的想法千变万化，念头升起又落下，很难保持恒定不变。就象楼主说的，一天能发生
: 很多让你的情绪起伏的事情。凡人是很难做到保持一颗平常心的。苦中做乐也是快乐，
: 只不过，它没有那么纯粹而已。
: 走过路过，瞎说一气。
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N****f
发帖数: 25759 | 28 多谢楼上各位捧场！倥偬之间，未及一一回复，万望诸位包涵！ |
h*********r
发帖数: 7786 | 29 本来写了一大段酸不溜溜的话，看了你的回复，全没了感觉。
听君一席话，胜读十年书。
赞假设，赞拜访死去的前辈，赞很多风光。
赞
赞再赞
赞
为此我感到困惑，不是困惑于这个“人为什么活着”的问题本身，而是困惑如此气质的
问题何以有闲登门叨扰？也许是我要判断的问题太多，需要决策太多；也许是我脑容量
太小，一次只能考虑一个问题；我决定给这个问题留个后门，因此我做出如下决定“假
设我已经解决了人为什么活着”这个问题，此刻，我会考虑什么呢？
很在这以后很多年：我带着这个假设这个后门，拜访了很多死去的前辈，行过很多桥，
很多风光。这个假设和我本人似乎在长时间的旅行中都感到疲惫和浑噩。
【在 s**********n 的大作中提到】
: 呃，我上面“k 点点点”确实有点开玩笑的意思，不好意思，刚才认真的毛病又发作了
: ，就不自觉的忽悠熟悉的事物去了，哈哈。
:
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h*********r
发帖数: 7786 | 30 多谢回复，保存了，哪天不爽的时候拿出来拜读。
赞英语好！
【在 N****f 的大作中提到】
: 看到一个关键词：平常心。其实归根结底，就是一个平常心最重要。人非
: 神佛，无法真正做到眼观万物而皆不为所动，但每天大事小事纷纭不断，
: 如果都跟着情绪起伏，着实奉陪不起。幸好人心自有两样法宝与生俱来，
: 可以用来招架日常琐事：
: 1. The ability to zoom out on life for a bigger picture—and to zoom
: out again and again until you get the desired effect. 华山一块顽石不
: 见得有什么雄奇之处，zoom out之后就是另一番气象。若嫌华山缺粮少水，
: 再zoom out到八百里秦川如何？还不满意的话，再zoom out到九百六十万
: 神州如何？还不过瘾，地球和其它七大行星相比，总该算是得天独厚。Zoom
: out到一定程度，原来那块顽石究竟美丑如何，早已微不足道。庄子云：
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s**********n
发帖数: 3199 | 31 拍照！咱们互相吹捧由你initiate啦，好吧！
【在 h*********r 的大作中提到】
: 本来写了一大段酸不溜溜的话，看了你的回复，全没了感觉。
: 听君一席话，胜读十年书。
: 赞假设，赞拜访死去的前辈，赞很多风光。
: 赞
: 赞再赞
: 赞
:
: 为此我感到困惑，不是困惑于这个“人为什么活着”的问题本身，而是困惑如此气质的
: 问题何以有闲登门叨扰？也许是我要判断的问题太多，需要决策太多；也许是我脑容量
: 太小，一次只能考虑一个问题；我决定给这个问题留个后门，因此我做出如下决定“假
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G****A
发帖数: 1430 | 32 赞狼兄好文
【在 N****f 的大作中提到】
: What is happiness?
: An age-old question, indeed. Some would even say it is the eternal
: question that has nagged the collective mind of mankind throughout
: history, giving rise to everything from grandiose churches to seedy
: brothels in the process. So far, the best answer I have ever heard to
: that question is one that I have cited many times in this forum, from
: an old professor who kept working and teaching well into his 70s
: despite being legally blind: "Happiness is a state of mind, not a
: situation."
: Recently there has been quite a bit of discussion on MITBBS,
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N****f
发帖数: 25759 | 33 多谢夸奖！:-)
【在 h*********r 的大作中提到】
: 多谢回复，保存了，哪天不爽的时候拿出来拜读。
: 赞英语好！
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N****f
发帖数: 25759 | 34 谢姽婳捧场！
【在 G****A 的大作中提到】
: 赞狼兄好文
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S***n
发帖数: 2932 | 35 最后一句“真快乐阿。。。”让我想到子路了。。。
。。
【在 A*****1 的大作中提到】
: 崇拜。复制，粘帖，存档，收藏。每天拿出来念念，以提高英语水平：）真快乐啊。。。
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