Self-Indulgence or Kindlness. Which is the Key to Happiness and a Better Life - Essay Example

Through the articulation of personal experiences relevant to this study, and on their critical evaluation, it is concluded that the happiness associated with performing an act of kindness and empathy is as long lasting and as effective for the promotion of a good life, as the happiness associated with pleasure seeking actions and self-indulgence. Thus, it can be stated that though kindness and good life are positively associated, the extent of happiness experienced during self-indulgence or kindness is the same.

However, the happiness associated with these two activities may be affected by other factors such as the kind of pleasurable activity undertaken, the type of reaction, provision of gratitude from the beneficiary of a kind act and future implications of the act of kindness. Self-Indulgence or Kindness Which is the Key to Happiness and a better Life? It is a widespread notion that being kind and selfless leads to a happy life. This belief has been further promoted by research studies and emerging evidence, which points out the association between happiness and kindness, linking it more to expressions of kindness than to experiencing pleasure.

The validity of this notion is tested in the present paper, through a reflective analysis of my own emotional experiences and the extent and longevity of the happiness felt during and after these experiences. I. Pleasure and its association with happiness A. My experience Landscaping is one of the most enjoyable activities that I find to be “me-centric” and pleasurable. It has been a long-standing practice of mine, to remove old plants and replace them with shrubs and perennial plants, along with some annual and seasonal plants in my home garden.

This act of self-indulgence gives me a real sense of accomplishment that I enjoy year round. I replace the annual plants every season, providing my garden with a different look every time. It is a huge source of enjoyment and pleasure, watching the seasonal changes in landscape, which acts as a stress reliever. I even enjoy the manual labor associated with this practice as it provides relief from life’s routine and mundane tasks. B. Reflective analysis Prior to my first tryst with landscaping and gardening, I had never anticipated that it would give me such joy.

However, after my first experience with this activity, and after feeling the joy it gave me, I constantly feel the urge of re-experiencing it. Since I get to see the product of my activity year round, my joy is long lasting and the pleasure I feel on seeing it is the same as that experienced while doing it. The pleasurable feeling keeps recurring long after the conclusion of this activity. Looking back at it, I still feel that it was a worthwhile task, and would always love to engage in it once again. II. Kindness, compassion, and selflessness, and their association with happiness A.

My experience As an act of kindness and selflessness, I chose to prepare the entire Christmas meal for 25 family members of mine. Doing so was made possible because of the two-week vacation that I had during that time, while the rest of my adult siblings were still working. I did this out of an understanding that they had very limited time to enjoy Christmas with their families, and I did not want them to worry about preparing the Christmas feast and spend