The proper route to obtain eternal happiness is a controversial subject for many. Should one constantly focus on his own personal happiness, or should one make the happiness of others his priority? What if the individual who endeavors never-ending euphoria is indeed the most broken inside? This concept was the chief issue in the autobiography of John Stuart Mill, a 19th century English philosopher. Mill's reasoning of just 'going with the flow' by concentrating less about personal happiness is unmistakably the most supreme path to increased satisfaction in anyone's lifestyle. Mill's principle belief is that happiness is nonviable when one directs his behavior solely to his own wellbeing. How is that possible, though, to not
…show more content…
Many popular children's books encourage the virtue of generosity. The well-known tale of The Rainbow Fish, by Marcus Pfister, features a fish who possesses traits that contrasts Mill's mindset. The rainbow fish has bright beautiful scales that the other dull-colored fish in the sea swoon and beg for. His scales are his only source of pride and joy though, so he wants to keep them all for himself. Gradually, the other fish begin to back away from him. Soon, the the rainbow fish realizes how egotistic he is, so he decides to alter his attitude. He begins to gift pieces of his vivid scales to the other fish, and realizing how overjoyed they became, he felt extremely happy as well. It is noticeable that happiness is impossible when it is not shared with others. Happiness is a big, repetitive cycle: you give to others, they give to you back, and so on. What you get back could be materials or money, but what's greater than all that is what you feel mentally. A deed as simple as donating used books to a local library has the capacity to remind oneself that he is the origin of all the smiles that will be brought to the faces of new readers. Offering happiness transforms the planet into a more meaningful world, making you a more meaningful individual. On the other hand, performing selfish acts puts one at a dead end, for then the ability to appreciate the values of the beauty of the universe can never be
Many popular children's books encourage the virtue of generosity. The well-known tale of The Rainbow Fish, by Marcus Pfister, features a fish who possesses traits that contrasts Mill's mindset. The rainbow fish has bright beautiful scales that the other dull-colored fish in the sea swoon and beg for. His scales are his only source of pride and joy though, so he wants to keep them all for himself. Gradually, the other fish begin to back away from him. Soon, the the rainbow fish realizes how egotistic he is, so he decides to alter his attitude. He begins to gift pieces of his vivid scales to the other fish, and realizing how overjoyed they became, he felt extremely happy as well. It is noticeable that happiness is impossible when it is not shared with others. Happiness is a big, repetitive cycle: you give to others, they give to you back, and so on. What you get back could be materials or money, but what's greater than all that is what you feel mentally. A deed as simple as donating used books to a local library has the capacity to remind oneself that he is the origin of all the smiles that will be brought to the faces of new readers. Offering happiness transforms the planet into a more meaningful world, making you a more meaningful individual. On the other hand, performing selfish acts puts one at a dead end, for then the ability to appreciate the values of the beauty of the universe can never be