Happiness: A State of Mind

Inspired by the recent 'money' threads:

In the late '60s I observed with an inexpensive, finderless, 60 or
65mm refractor housed in a heavy cardboard tube. I wanted something
better, but I used what I had and achieved happiness.

As the years passed by I managed to purchase and/or build larger (and
sometimes better) telescopes; but I'm not sure I ever achieved a
greater degree of happiness.

For myself, happiness comes from getting outside and observing. It
doesn't much matter if I use a small or large pair of binoculars or if
I use a large or small telescope.

My most recent observing session was with "Mighty Mouse" -- the 4 inch
SCT I won as a door prize at a recent star party. I observed some of
the sky's showpiece double stars. I was happy :-)

Spending more money can certainly buy more aperture and/or higher
quality optics; but happiness cannot be so easily equated with
monetary expenditure. Happiness is a state of mind.

Sketcher
To sketch is to see.

Sketcher wrote:

Inspired by the recent 'money' threads:

In the late '60s I observed with an inexpensive, finderless, 60 or
65mm refractor housed in a heavy cardboard tube. I wanted something
better, but I used what I had and achieved happiness.

As the years passed by I managed to purchase and/or build larger (and
sometimes better) telescopes; but I'm not sure I ever achieved a
greater degree of happiness.

For myself, happiness comes from getting outside and observing. It
doesn't much matter if I use a small or large pair of binoculars or if
I use a large or small telescope.

My most recent observing session was with "Mighty Mouse" -- the 4 inch
SCT I won as a door prize at a recent star party. I observed some of
the sky's showpiece double stars. I was happy :-)

Spending more money can certainly buy more aperture and/or higher
quality optics; but happiness cannot be so easily equated with
monetary expenditure. Happiness is a state of mind.

Sketcher
To sketch is to see.

Happiness is, indeed, an inside job, and paradoxically, it is ever more
difficult to achieve in the absence of others (at least for me). I am
at my happiest observing in the company of other interested observers,
regardless of their (or my) particular setup.

Having said that, I also believe it's possible to be happy and annoyed
at the same time. ;-)

Regards,
Uncle Bob


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Spending more money can certainly buy more aperture and/or higher
quality optics; but happiness cannot be so easily equated with
monetary expenditure. Happiness is a state of mind.


In spades. Thanks for an insightful post.

Peace,
Rod Mollise
Author of _Choosing and Using a Schmidt Cassegrain Telescope_
Like SCTs and MCTs?
Check-out sct-user, the mailing list for CAT fanciers!
Goto http://members.aol.com/RMOLLISE/index.html

Spending more money can certainly buy more aperture and/or higher
quality optics; but happiness cannot be so easily equated with
monetary expenditure. Happiness is a state of mind.



I have heard it said that all unhappiness comes from making comparisons.
This is certainly something to think about.




--
Martin
"Photographs From the Universe of Amateur Astronomy"
http://home.earthlink.net/~martinhowell

Spending more money can certainly buy more aperture and/or higher
quality optics; but happiness cannot be so easily equated with
monetary expenditure. Happiness is a state of mind.

Sketcher
To sketch is to see.



Well sure..what else could it be? A state of Kentucky?

I have heard it said that all unhappiness comes from making comparisons.
This is certainly something to think about.



Our whole western way of life is directly or indirectly built around
comparison and being "up with the Joneses" and competition.

You've been listening to too much local news/media propoganda and are
now passing it on as your personal gospel, which I doubt is true because
fundamentally, it cannot be true - any more than elephants fly! If
Happiness
is a State of Mind only, .....................Oh! You will now say you
didnt say
that. But you did. Make up your mind. Go on Green.

Recommend to yourself in silence- not to others. Because if you dont, you
will find all kinds of idiots hanging their hats on your words until at
length
you will realise they dont represent you at all and everything you had in
mind and thought you said (and meant) as been corrupted.

If Happiness is a State of Mind then why are all the Unhappy people
rushing
to agree?







Sketcher wrote:

Inspired by the recent 'money' threads:

In the late '60s I observed with an inexpensive, finderless, 60 or
65mm refractor housed in a heavy cardboard tube. I wanted something
better, but I used what I had and achieved happiness.

As the years passed by I managed to purchase and/or build larger (and
sometimes better) telescopes; but I'm not sure I ever achieved a
greater degree of happiness.

For myself, happiness comes from getting outside and observing. It
doesn't much matter if I use a small or large pair of binoculars or if
I use a large or small telescope.

My most recent observing session was with "Mighty Mouse" -- the 4 inch
SCT I won as a door prize at a recent star party. I observed some of
the sky's showpiece double stars. I was happy :-)

Spending more money can certainly buy more aperture and/or higher
quality optics; but happiness cannot be so easily equated with
monetary expenditure. Happiness is a state of mind.

Sketcher
To sketch is to see.

You've been listening to too much local
news/media propoganda and are now
passing it on as your personal gospel,
which I doubt is true because
fundamentally, it cannot be true - any
more than elephants fly! If Happiness
is a State of Mind only,
.....................Oh! You will now say you
didnt say
that. But you did. Make up your mind. Go
on Green.
Recommend to yourself in silence- not to
others. Because if you dont, you will find
all kinds of idiots hanging their hats on
your words until at length
you will realise they dont represent you
at all and everything you had in mind
and thought you said (and meant) as
been corrupted.
If Happiness is a State of Mind then why
are all the Unhappy people rushing
to agree?

Damn... I THOUGHT I was kind of happy... maybe I was only hanging my
hat... Have the media said if I'm happy?... Oh, I get SO CONFUSED
sometimes...
Marty

Martin R. Howell wrote:
Spending more money can certainly buy more aperture and/or higher
quality optics; but happiness cannot be so easily equated with
monetary expenditure. Happiness is a state of mind.




I have heard it said that all unhappiness comes from making comparisons.
This is certainly something to think about.




The Buddha said that all unhappiness springs from our expectations.

I asked my shrink what that meant and he said, "Heck, I don't know."

Regards,
Uncle Bob



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JB7 wrote:

You've been listening to too much local news/media propoganda and are
now passing it on as your personal gospel, which I doubt is true because
fundamentally, it cannot be true - any more than elephants fly! If
Happiness
is a State of Mind only, .....................Oh! You will now say you
didnt say
that. But you did. Make up your mind. Go on Green.

Recommend to yourself in silence- not to others. Because if you dont, you
will find all kinds of idiots hanging their hats on your words until at
length
you will realise they dont represent you at all and everything you had in
mind and thought you said (and meant) as been corrupted.

If Happiness is a State of Mind then why are all the Unhappy people
rushing
to agree?


Spoken like a truly happy camper. ;-)

Clear Skies,
Uncle Bob

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