Dear Sir,
In his article dated September 19th, William Reville delved into the different opinions and interpretations of “happiness” among varied cultures and individuals. However, what really defines “happiness”? As per Reville’s explanation, psychological perspectives often couple subjective wellbeing and happiness together. This suggests that happiness is simply a fleeting feeling derived from a moment of tranquility.
I propose a shift in perspective – moving away from the aim of constant happiness and towards the pursuit of contentment. Contentment translates to an inner peace with oneself and the prevailing situation, a state of satisfaction that correlates with one’s lived experiences. Contentment does not necessarily mean abolishing the aspiration to improve our lives, but rather it embodies the recognition of mental and physical health, even without the presence of materialistic luxury.
Certainly, happiness and contentment are not synonymous. Happiness encapsulates those favourite moments where everything seems perfect, while contentment is about acceptance and understanding that life will not always maintain a steady trajectory. In essence, it means being content, acknowledging both good times and inevitable fluctuations. The divergence between happiness and contentment may be minute but deeply significant.
Regards,
Martin Crotty,
Blackrock,
In case you missed: The Rebus review portrayed Edinburgh’s character rather than the promised thrilling narrative. We are witnessing an influx of queer artists, like Reneé Rapp, Billie Eilish, and Chappell Roan, which is a promising change. “A Cold Eye” by Carlo Gébler is a compelling diary-as-memoir. After unfortunate experiences with public transportation, including a phantom bus, an urge to voice more complaints was felt when I was compelled to pay €81 for a taxi all the way from Waterford to Kilkenny.
Co Louth.