1 00:00:21,500 --> 00:00:25,820 Speaker 1: Welcome to Timeless Wisdom with Dennis Prager. Here thousands of 2 00:00:25,860 --> 00:00:29,340 Speaker 1: hours of Dennis's lectures, courses in classic radio programs, and 3 00:00:29,500 --> 00:00:39,900 Speaker 1: to purchase Dennis Prager's Rational Bibles, go to Dennisprager dot com. 4 00:00:41,500 --> 00:00:46,900 Speaker 2: Now it for Janina, Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes yes. 5 00:00:47,060 --> 00:00:51,820 Speaker 2: It's the Happiness Hour on the Dennis Prager Show. Yes, everybody, 6 00:00:52,140 --> 00:00:56,340 Speaker 2: and is a very very important thing. Happiness not just 7 00:00:56,380 --> 00:01:00,100 Speaker 2: because it feels good. No no, no, no no. Happy 8 00:01:00,140 --> 00:01:02,020 Speaker 2: people do a lot more good for this world than 9 00:01:02,020 --> 00:01:05,580 Speaker 2: the unhappiness. All right, Let's let's be clear about that. 10 00:01:05,700 --> 00:01:07,980 Speaker 2: I'm sorry if you're unhappy that I'm saying this, I 11 00:01:08,060 --> 00:01:11,380 Speaker 2: really am. But that means that you have a moral 12 00:01:11,420 --> 00:01:13,380 Speaker 2: obligation to be as happy as you can be. It 13 00:01:13,460 --> 00:01:17,140 Speaker 2: is not a selfish pursuit happiness. It can be, but 14 00:01:17,260 --> 00:01:20,260 Speaker 2: it isn't. It's good for the world. It's good for 15 00:01:20,780 --> 00:01:24,500 Speaker 2: We want around you to be as happy as you 16 00:01:24,580 --> 00:01:29,660 Speaker 2: can be. It's an achievement. Happiness. It's an art. That's 17 00:01:29,660 --> 00:01:31,860 Speaker 2: why the vote an hour here. The world is better 18 00:01:32,060 --> 00:01:35,460 Speaker 2: when people are happier. Not only are you happier, the 19 00:01:35,500 --> 00:01:39,580 Speaker 2: world is a happier place. This is not a cliche, folks, 20 00:01:39,620 --> 00:01:41,820 Speaker 2: because people don't think that way they think of happiness. 21 00:01:41,900 --> 00:01:45,020 Speaker 2: I used to. I'm totally guilty. I used to think 22 00:01:45,020 --> 00:01:48,380 Speaker 2: of happiness as a selfish pursuit and realize, my god, 23 00:01:48,460 --> 00:01:52,180 Speaker 2: the world is so much better when people are happier. Okay, 24 00:01:52,380 --> 00:01:54,260 Speaker 2: now made the case for happiness and why the vote 25 00:01:54,260 --> 00:01:57,140 Speaker 2: an entire hour to it every week at this time today, 26 00:01:58,340 --> 00:02:02,260 Speaker 2: I'm going to give you a very basic, basic key 27 00:02:02,940 --> 00:02:07,020 Speaker 2: to being happier if I can, if I can convince 28 00:02:07,060 --> 00:02:09,740 Speaker 2: you of what I'm about to say, and it is 29 00:02:09,820 --> 00:02:13,580 Speaker 2: so self evident. Once I say it, you'll kick yourself 30 00:02:13,579 --> 00:02:17,019 Speaker 2: and not thinking about it more often, or even thinking 31 00:02:17,020 --> 00:02:20,940 Speaker 2: about it at all. I have a very simple both 32 00:02:20,980 --> 00:02:24,180 Speaker 2: suggestion today. It's not simple to enact, but it is 33 00:02:24,260 --> 00:02:30,500 Speaker 2: simple to understand. Ask yourself, as often as possible, will 34 00:02:30,540 --> 00:02:36,740 Speaker 2: the following make me a happier person? So when you 35 00:02:36,820 --> 00:02:42,780 Speaker 2: decide what to do, ask yourself, will I be happier 36 00:02:43,740 --> 00:02:47,940 Speaker 2: as a result? Not permanently happy necessarily, but just will 37 00:02:48,060 --> 00:02:51,660 Speaker 2: it make me happier? My theory is otherwise I wouldn't 38 00:02:51,660 --> 00:02:54,180 Speaker 2: be saying this. My theory is that by and large 39 00:02:54,180 --> 00:02:58,700 Speaker 2: people don't do that. That people do things by and 40 00:02:58,820 --> 00:03:01,900 Speaker 2: large either because they just have to obviously, so I'll 41 00:03:01,980 --> 00:03:05,180 Speaker 2: leave that aside. But where there is a choice, they 42 00:03:05,260 --> 00:03:10,700 Speaker 2: do things because that is the immediate feel good thing 43 00:03:10,940 --> 00:03:18,540 Speaker 2: to do. My best example is television watching. I ask you, 44 00:03:19,020 --> 00:03:22,100 Speaker 2: and your answer may be yes. I'm not saying don't watch. 45 00:03:22,860 --> 00:03:26,580 Speaker 2: I'm only asking you before you sit down to watch television. 46 00:03:27,940 --> 00:03:30,860 Speaker 2: I am asking you to ask yourself this question. Try 47 00:03:30,860 --> 00:03:35,140 Speaker 2: it for one week, that's all. If you're serious about 48 00:03:35,300 --> 00:03:39,780 Speaker 2: being a happier human, you must try this experiment. Go 49 00:03:39,900 --> 00:03:44,060 Speaker 2: through a few days, asking yourself before you do or 50 00:03:44,260 --> 00:03:49,900 Speaker 2: don't do something, will I be happier as a result 51 00:03:49,940 --> 00:03:52,700 Speaker 2: of doing this? Or will I be happier if I 52 00:03:52,780 --> 00:03:55,100 Speaker 2: don't do this? Will I be happier if I do 53 00:03:55,140 --> 00:03:57,660 Speaker 2: something else? Or will I be happier if I don't 54 00:03:57,660 --> 00:04:03,740 Speaker 2: do that? So, for example, here's an example. One hour 55 00:04:03,860 --> 00:04:06,220 Speaker 2: of television, and most people don't watch one hour. They 56 00:04:06,260 --> 00:04:09,660 Speaker 2: watch hours, but one hour of television. Will I be 57 00:04:09,700 --> 00:04:12,700 Speaker 2: a happier person if I take one hour away from 58 00:04:12,700 --> 00:04:16,020 Speaker 2: my television watching and read a book? And remember, I 59 00:04:16,060 --> 00:04:20,540 Speaker 2: am not talking about will you be deeper, smarter, brighter, sharp, 60 00:04:20,659 --> 00:04:24,580 Speaker 2: uper nothing, nothing. I'm not talking morality. I'm not talking 61 00:04:24,620 --> 00:04:29,100 Speaker 2: about education. I'm not talking about any of those wonderful things, 62 00:04:30,020 --> 00:04:36,460 Speaker 2: just happiness on just those grounds entirely. I want you 63 00:04:36,539 --> 00:04:40,740 Speaker 2: to ask yourself what will make me happier? Now you 64 00:04:40,780 --> 00:04:45,220 Speaker 2: may answer that an hour of TV. Fine. All I'm 65 00:04:45,300 --> 00:04:49,540 Speaker 2: asking you to do is ask the question what will 66 00:04:49,540 --> 00:04:53,580 Speaker 2: make me happier? See? That is the It's very people 67 00:04:53,660 --> 00:04:59,420 Speaker 2: don't do that because the immediate pull of something tempting 68 00:05:00,260 --> 00:05:04,860 Speaker 2: is so much greater than the long range thinking of 69 00:05:04,980 --> 00:05:09,900 Speaker 2: what will make me happy. Many men who don't get married, 70 00:05:10,620 --> 00:05:12,339 Speaker 2: many men who don't get married at least for a 71 00:05:12,460 --> 00:05:15,380 Speaker 2: very long time, are a classic example. Not all, but 72 00:05:15,500 --> 00:05:18,820 Speaker 2: many are a classic example of this where they don't 73 00:05:18,820 --> 00:05:23,460 Speaker 2: think long range. They think now, or they think erroneously 74 00:05:23,500 --> 00:05:27,659 Speaker 2: on this question, why would I get married? That's commitment, 75 00:05:28,220 --> 00:05:31,700 Speaker 2: that's monogamy. It's all the stuff that runs against my nature, 76 00:05:31,980 --> 00:05:36,700 Speaker 2: A free to go to have serial monogamy or just 77 00:05:37,020 --> 00:05:40,219 Speaker 2: play around, or just live in my own world and 78 00:05:40,260 --> 00:05:43,020 Speaker 2: do whatever I want, whenever I want. And there were 79 00:05:43,060 --> 00:05:45,020 Speaker 2: single women who were beginning to think that way too, 80 00:05:45,100 --> 00:05:50,219 Speaker 2: But it's mostly men. So they don't ask themselves really, 81 00:05:50,380 --> 00:05:54,420 Speaker 2: or they do ask themselves, which is even more troubling. 82 00:05:55,180 --> 00:05:57,780 Speaker 2: They will ask themselves what will make me happy? And 83 00:05:57,820 --> 00:06:01,140 Speaker 2: then they decide that staying single, even though by every 84 00:06:01,340 --> 00:06:04,940 Speaker 2: measurable data that we have, with all the problems that 85 00:06:05,060 --> 00:06:09,660 Speaker 2: marriage may have and that marriages often do have, single 86 00:06:10,220 --> 00:06:13,340 Speaker 2: singles are not as happy as marriage, especially among men. 87 00:06:15,060 --> 00:06:16,980 Speaker 2: So if a man were to ask, why will make 88 00:06:17,020 --> 00:06:20,460 Speaker 2: me happier in over the long run building a home 89 00:06:20,700 --> 00:06:25,460 Speaker 2: with a woman, building a family with a woman, establishing 90 00:06:25,500 --> 00:06:28,980 Speaker 2: myself in that way, or living as a bachelor the 91 00:06:29,060 --> 00:06:31,660 Speaker 2: rest of my life? If you ask the happiness question 92 00:06:32,340 --> 00:06:35,779 Speaker 2: most and not everyone, I acknowledge it. Remember, I'm not 93 00:06:35,820 --> 00:06:37,940 Speaker 2: telling you what the answer is. I'm telling you what 94 00:06:37,980 --> 00:06:42,980 Speaker 2: the question should be. That's very important to please understand that. Now, 95 00:06:43,020 --> 00:06:46,380 Speaker 2: obviously I think marriage will bring you greater happiness in 96 00:06:46,420 --> 00:06:48,539 Speaker 2: the long run than staying single your whole life, But 97 00:06:48,620 --> 00:06:50,860 Speaker 2: that's not my point. My point is just that you 98 00:06:50,980 --> 00:06:56,900 Speaker 2: ask the question, will an hour of taking piano bring 99 00:06:56,980 --> 00:07:00,500 Speaker 2: me more happiness? Or an hour of television? That's all 100 00:07:00,540 --> 00:07:04,580 Speaker 2: not make me deeper or anything like that. If when 101 00:07:04,620 --> 00:07:06,820 Speaker 2: I go to bed tonight, will I have been Will 102 00:07:06,860 --> 00:07:11,780 Speaker 2: I go to bed happier having played piano or watched TV? 103 00:07:14,060 --> 00:07:17,260 Speaker 2: One eight Prager seven seven six is the number one 104 00:07:17,340 --> 00:07:20,420 Speaker 2: eight p R A g E R seven seven six. 105 00:07:22,340 --> 00:07:26,700 Speaker 2: The question is could be asked and on every single level, 106 00:07:28,140 --> 00:07:31,060 Speaker 2: will I be happier if I have this dessert or 107 00:07:31,100 --> 00:07:33,900 Speaker 2: if I don't. Now by the way, sometimes the answer 108 00:07:33,940 --> 00:07:38,820 Speaker 2: is you will be. Remember I am not anti the 109 00:07:38,980 --> 00:07:42,460 Speaker 2: fun or the immediate joy. Immedia joy is also part 110 00:07:42,500 --> 00:07:48,500 Speaker 2: of being happy. It is absolutely, so please don't misread 111 00:07:48,780 --> 00:07:52,300 Speaker 2: what I am saying. There are times when just a 112 00:07:52,420 --> 00:07:54,620 Speaker 2: you know, a great meal with a great dessert will 113 00:07:54,620 --> 00:07:57,660 Speaker 2: have contributed to your joy of life, which contributes to 114 00:07:57,700 --> 00:08:02,820 Speaker 2: your happiness. Absolutely. Just ask yourself though that question, and 115 00:08:02,860 --> 00:08:06,140 Speaker 2: it is a great little guideline or a big guideline 116 00:08:06,340 --> 00:08:09,100 Speaker 2: for what intelligent choice is to make in your life. 117 00:08:09,780 --> 00:08:12,700 Speaker 2: Will I be happier? Now here? There are two things 118 00:08:12,700 --> 00:08:16,260 Speaker 2: people do that are wrong. One is they don't ask 119 00:08:16,300 --> 00:08:19,060 Speaker 2: themselves the question. The other is they ask themselves the 120 00:08:19,140 --> 00:08:21,300 Speaker 2: question and then come to the wrong answer. And that's 121 00:08:21,340 --> 00:08:25,140 Speaker 2: the saddest when they choose A over B thinking A 122 00:08:25,380 --> 00:08:29,980 Speaker 2: will make them a happier person, like the single guys 123 00:08:29,980 --> 00:08:32,060 Speaker 2: who think, oh, I will be happier if I never 124 00:08:32,100 --> 00:08:34,860 Speaker 2: get married. But it doesn't it But there are cases 125 00:08:34,860 --> 00:08:37,620 Speaker 2: where that may be. But by and large, that is 126 00:08:37,660 --> 00:08:41,939 Speaker 2: not the case. Do you understand this? Do you have 127 00:08:42,020 --> 00:08:44,860 Speaker 2: a problem with it? That's what I need you to 128 00:08:44,980 --> 00:08:48,980 Speaker 2: call in to so that this is perfectly clear. I 129 00:08:49,140 --> 00:08:52,380 Speaker 2: just gave a talk on happiness, and I see the 130 00:08:52,459 --> 00:08:55,300 Speaker 2: faces as they talk, obviously, and I know how to 131 00:08:55,340 --> 00:08:58,620 Speaker 2: read reactions I've given. I think I just figured it 132 00:08:58,660 --> 00:09:03,140 Speaker 2: out recently. I've given in my life approximately four to 133 00:09:03,340 --> 00:09:08,500 Speaker 2: five thousand public lectures. That's an incredible number. So you 134 00:09:08,620 --> 00:09:11,540 Speaker 2: obviously learn things from doing so. And I'm not talking 135 00:09:11,540 --> 00:09:16,059 Speaker 2: about radio broadcast, just public lectures. And I see faces 136 00:09:16,260 --> 00:09:18,700 Speaker 2: and when I spoke about this, just ask yourself, will 137 00:09:18,700 --> 00:09:22,140 Speaker 2: it make me happy? This is a good This is 138 00:09:22,179 --> 00:09:25,500 Speaker 2: a good question for those of you in UH for 139 00:09:25,500 --> 00:09:31,100 Speaker 2: forgetting married people, a single people. On having sex? Will 140 00:09:31,140 --> 00:09:34,500 Speaker 2: I be happier after having had it? Will I be 141 00:09:34,620 --> 00:09:37,300 Speaker 2: happier in the morning if I have sex with this person? 142 00:09:38,220 --> 00:09:41,580 Speaker 2: Now I am not talking here religion or values. This 143 00:09:41,620 --> 00:09:45,180 Speaker 2: is a happiness hour. You know I have strong religious values, 144 00:09:45,220 --> 00:09:47,620 Speaker 2: but that is not my point here. By the way, 145 00:09:47,660 --> 00:09:49,660 Speaker 2: that is to a point, will I be happier? If 146 00:09:49,940 --> 00:09:52,700 Speaker 2: I you could ask that in general? Will I be 147 00:09:52,780 --> 00:09:56,620 Speaker 2: happier with a religious commitment? Or without one. Most people 148 00:09:56,700 --> 00:09:59,300 Speaker 2: in our society who do, in fact join with a 149 00:09:59,340 --> 00:10:03,060 Speaker 2: religious community in some way do end up being happier 150 00:10:04,380 --> 00:10:08,300 Speaker 2: by every again, every study done by seculars. Seculars, that's 151 00:10:08,300 --> 00:10:14,540 Speaker 2: funny by secular people like professors that having a faith 152 00:10:14,580 --> 00:10:18,300 Speaker 2: community adds to people's longevity and to their happiness. Now, 153 00:10:18,300 --> 00:10:20,860 Speaker 2: that's not the only reason to be religious, obviously, it's 154 00:10:20,860 --> 00:10:24,100 Speaker 2: just the utilitarian one. But I'm just but I am 155 00:10:24,179 --> 00:10:27,980 Speaker 2: talking utilitarian here. I'm asking you to ask, and tell 156 00:10:28,020 --> 00:10:33,180 Speaker 2: your kids even to ask, will it make me happier? 157 00:10:33,420 --> 00:10:38,179 Speaker 2: It's a powerful question to ask. And ironically, people profess 158 00:10:38,300 --> 00:10:40,740 Speaker 2: the desire to be happy, but they don't ask this 159 00:10:40,860 --> 00:10:45,100 Speaker 2: of themselves so much of the time because happiness and 160 00:10:45,179 --> 00:10:51,940 Speaker 2: immediate pleasure are often in contradiction. And that's a problem, alrighty, 161 00:10:51,980 --> 00:10:54,460 Speaker 2: there are some people who do follow this or don't 162 00:10:54,460 --> 00:10:56,700 Speaker 2: agree with it, and so on. And I want your calls. 163 00:10:57,100 --> 00:11:01,900 Speaker 2: Does this make sense to you? One eight Praguer seven 164 00:11:02,060 --> 00:11:05,260 Speaker 2: seven six The Happiness Hour on the Dennis Praguer Show. 165 00:11:07,179 --> 00:11:10,460 Speaker 1: This episode of Timeless Wisdom will continue right after this. 166 00:11:15,020 --> 00:11:20,300 Speaker 1: Now back to more of Dennis Prager's Timeless Wisdom. 167 00:11:21,100 --> 00:11:28,100 Speaker 2: If you're listening to the Dennis Pragershell, this is uh, 168 00:11:28,540 --> 00:11:32,700 Speaker 2: this is a different approach to happiness. This is the 169 00:11:32,740 --> 00:11:36,260 Speaker 2: happiness hour. And and today's approach is so when you 170 00:11:36,340 --> 00:11:38,580 Speaker 2: hear it, it makes so much sense and then but 171 00:11:38,660 --> 00:11:41,260 Speaker 2: when you try to apply it it becomes more complex. 172 00:11:41,900 --> 00:11:44,380 Speaker 2: A very simple thesis today and and it is in 173 00:11:44,460 --> 00:11:47,059 Speaker 2: my book, my book is Happiness is a serious problem. 174 00:11:47,660 --> 00:11:50,939 Speaker 2: And I I would imagine that any of you who 175 00:11:50,980 --> 00:11:53,540 Speaker 2: are moved by this particular hour each week will have 176 00:11:53,860 --> 00:11:59,179 Speaker 2: will have read it. I wouldn't understand why, but it's this. 177 00:11:59,860 --> 00:12:02,900 Speaker 2: Not every show is in the book, but this, this 178 00:12:02,940 --> 00:12:06,059 Speaker 2: particular idea is I'm just I am, of course flushing 179 00:12:06,100 --> 00:12:09,979 Speaker 2: it out here. And that is very Simply ask yourself 180 00:12:10,020 --> 00:12:13,260 Speaker 2: before you do something or don't do something, will this 181 00:12:13,380 --> 00:12:16,459 Speaker 2: make me happy? And as Alan points out, you can't 182 00:12:16,460 --> 00:12:20,540 Speaker 2: be happy and lazy. This is another example of how 183 00:12:20,780 --> 00:12:26,060 Speaker 2: laziness works so against our ultimate happiness. See, if you 184 00:12:26,179 --> 00:12:30,660 Speaker 2: did what you wanted, if laziness could could could in 185 00:12:30,700 --> 00:12:35,060 Speaker 2: fact dictate your day, you'd stay in bed. But the 186 00:12:35,179 --> 00:12:37,900 Speaker 2: longer you stay in bed, as it happens, the less 187 00:12:37,940 --> 00:12:41,780 Speaker 2: happy you will be. Later. It is when you get up, 188 00:12:42,020 --> 00:12:44,699 Speaker 2: you get you clean yourself, up, you shower, you you 189 00:12:45,500 --> 00:12:47,980 Speaker 2: you get ready for the day, you take it on. 190 00:12:48,060 --> 00:12:51,339 Speaker 2: You do something that you could look back on, that 191 00:12:51,580 --> 00:12:55,460 Speaker 2: is that that brings you happiness. Happiness is often and 192 00:12:55,660 --> 00:12:59,459 Speaker 2: usually is in fact the product of something. Now the 193 00:12:59,580 --> 00:13:04,780 Speaker 2: ideally you will have joy doing it, but not always. 194 00:13:04,820 --> 00:13:08,579 Speaker 2: There isn't joy in every moment of raising a child. 195 00:13:10,140 --> 00:13:14,420 Speaker 2: I think, I think that you know that, but but 196 00:13:14,620 --> 00:13:18,220 Speaker 2: when you look back on it, it is for most people, 197 00:13:18,580 --> 00:13:20,339 Speaker 2: it's a source of pain. By the way, there's a 198 00:13:20,340 --> 00:13:24,620 Speaker 2: lot of pain in child rearing, and very few kids 199 00:13:24,700 --> 00:13:27,060 Speaker 2: grow up to be the exact image that a parent 200 00:13:27,100 --> 00:13:29,620 Speaker 2: would have wanted the child to be, and that's just inevitable, 201 00:13:29,660 --> 00:13:33,060 Speaker 2: as we are not our parents image. But there is 202 00:13:33,260 --> 00:13:38,300 Speaker 2: a happiness there that is available. That that is because 203 00:13:38,340 --> 00:13:42,380 Speaker 2: of all the work you put in. Now, let's go 204 00:13:42,420 --> 00:13:45,540 Speaker 2: to some of your calls here asking the question will 205 00:13:45,620 --> 00:13:48,860 Speaker 2: it make me happy? Brian in Denver on k and US, 206 00:13:48,900 --> 00:13:50,100 Speaker 2: Dennis Prager High. 207 00:13:50,540 --> 00:13:51,460 Speaker 3: Hey Dennis, how are you? 208 00:13:51,580 --> 00:13:52,540 Speaker 2: I'm well? Thanks? 209 00:13:52,780 --> 00:13:54,819 Speaker 3: Hey Dennis. Is the first time I've ever called, and 210 00:13:55,220 --> 00:13:57,780 Speaker 3: the reason I took the opportunities because I think this 211 00:13:57,860 --> 00:14:02,140 Speaker 3: is such a great, great question and challenge, and I differ. 212 00:14:02,420 --> 00:14:05,660 Speaker 3: I agree with you that it's a great question to 213 00:14:05,780 --> 00:14:09,820 Speaker 3: ask in the big picture of life. But I think 214 00:14:09,980 --> 00:14:12,939 Speaker 3: where I disagree that I don't think it applies to 215 00:14:12,980 --> 00:14:13,780 Speaker 3: every situation. 216 00:14:14,300 --> 00:14:16,300 Speaker 2: Okay, tell me where it wouldn't. 217 00:14:16,620 --> 00:14:19,500 Speaker 3: Well in your example that you used before regarding you know, 218 00:14:19,580 --> 00:14:25,300 Speaker 3: having this dessert or watching an hour of TV, I 219 00:14:25,380 --> 00:14:27,500 Speaker 3: think that that is such an, in my opinion, an 220 00:14:27,500 --> 00:14:34,860 Speaker 3: insignificant decision that it would be premature or even it 221 00:14:34,900 --> 00:14:38,780 Speaker 3: would be difficult to know whether or not that is 222 00:14:38,820 --> 00:14:39,060 Speaker 3: going to. 223 00:14:39,060 --> 00:14:42,460 Speaker 2: Make you happier. My assumption is that you are not overweight, 224 00:14:42,580 --> 00:14:46,740 Speaker 2: Is that correct? I am not exactly Uh how for 225 00:14:46,980 --> 00:14:51,420 Speaker 2: the vast number of Americans who are overweight, the decision 226 00:14:51,460 --> 00:14:54,100 Speaker 2: on whether or not to have dessert is of enormous 227 00:14:54,140 --> 00:14:58,580 Speaker 2: consequences to their to their long term happiness. And as 228 00:14:58,620 --> 00:15:01,180 Speaker 2: regards television, how much TV do you watch a night? 229 00:15:02,300 --> 00:15:05,540 Speaker 3: I'd say probably an hour or more night, Well. 230 00:15:05,380 --> 00:15:07,620 Speaker 2: An hour or more could be, of course, an hour 231 00:15:07,700 --> 00:15:08,460 Speaker 2: or six hours. 232 00:15:08,860 --> 00:15:11,460 Speaker 3: Sure, I'd say I'd say no more than two hours 233 00:15:11,460 --> 00:15:11,820 Speaker 3: per night. 234 00:15:11,940 --> 00:15:15,260 Speaker 2: Okay, let me ask you if if I said to you, Brian, 235 00:15:16,660 --> 00:15:19,980 Speaker 2: you have to watch five hours a night the next month, 236 00:15:20,620 --> 00:15:23,940 Speaker 2: do you think that each night you're and after the 237 00:15:23,980 --> 00:15:25,980 Speaker 2: month you will have been a happier person or not, 238 00:15:27,500 --> 00:15:29,180 Speaker 2: or you think it's it's immaterial. 239 00:15:30,260 --> 00:15:32,300 Speaker 3: I don't think I would be able to answer that question. 240 00:15:32,060 --> 00:15:35,060 Speaker 2: To be honest, Okay, I well, I am offering an 241 00:15:35,060 --> 00:15:38,420 Speaker 2: answer based and really you should look up on the 242 00:15:38,500 --> 00:15:44,140 Speaker 2: internet television watching or television and happiness, And it is 243 00:15:44,220 --> 00:15:47,860 Speaker 2: remarkable how consistent every study is by any way we 244 00:15:47,940 --> 00:15:50,620 Speaker 2: can measure happiness. And I admit that it's not easily 245 00:15:50,660 --> 00:15:55,060 Speaker 2: measured that after about an hour and a half, an 246 00:15:55,060 --> 00:15:57,580 Speaker 2: hour doesn't go this way or that way, which is 247 00:15:57,580 --> 00:15:59,300 Speaker 2: what you tend to watch, or an hour to two, 248 00:15:59,460 --> 00:16:02,460 Speaker 2: but beyond that, and it depends what you watch. Sporting 249 00:16:02,500 --> 00:16:04,860 Speaker 2: events is very different from a sitcom and the effect 250 00:16:04,940 --> 00:16:11,900 Speaker 2: on people's happiness, for example the but although obviously excessive 251 00:16:12,300 --> 00:16:15,020 Speaker 2: sports watching has its own problem. But in any event, 252 00:16:15,820 --> 00:16:18,740 Speaker 2: you are dismissing the significance of two things that I 253 00:16:18,780 --> 00:16:23,900 Speaker 2: do think play a major role. How people eat, listen. Uh. 254 00:16:24,220 --> 00:16:28,820 Speaker 2: To be overweight, certainly by any large number of poundage 255 00:16:29,300 --> 00:16:33,340 Speaker 2: is clearly works against one's happiness. So how can you 256 00:16:33,380 --> 00:16:36,740 Speaker 2: dismiss whether or not eating desserts is an issue of happiness? 257 00:16:38,300 --> 00:16:40,300 Speaker 3: Well, I guess, well, That's the reason I called Dennis, 258 00:16:40,740 --> 00:16:43,180 Speaker 3: all right. I mean I was trying to apply it 259 00:16:43,220 --> 00:16:46,220 Speaker 3: to myself and I didn't think the way that exactly. 260 00:16:46,540 --> 00:16:49,380 Speaker 2: That's why I knew you were thin. Thank you so much. 261 00:16:49,700 --> 00:16:53,420 Speaker 2: Thank you. Okay, take care. Let's go to more of 262 00:16:53,460 --> 00:16:56,780 Speaker 2: your calls in Corona, California on k r l A 263 00:16:57,020 --> 00:16:59,300 Speaker 2: eight seventy Ryan Ryan Dennis Prager. 264 00:16:59,340 --> 00:17:02,300 Speaker 4: Hi, Hello, Hi, Hey, how you doing. 265 00:17:02,420 --> 00:17:03,700 Speaker 2: I'm well. Thank you. 266 00:17:03,700 --> 00:17:06,379 Speaker 4: You are a moral beacon, Dennis. If I can grow 267 00:17:06,460 --> 00:17:09,260 Speaker 4: to be half the man you are, then I will 268 00:17:10,260 --> 00:17:11,060 Speaker 4: mountains lifetime. 269 00:17:11,139 --> 00:17:12,979 Speaker 2: You're you're making me blush. Thank you. 270 00:17:14,580 --> 00:17:18,020 Speaker 4: My question is this, how do you define happiness? 271 00:17:18,340 --> 00:17:20,259 Speaker 2: I actually, I'll go ahead. 272 00:17:20,700 --> 00:17:25,260 Speaker 4: You pose a question if if you would to watch 273 00:17:25,300 --> 00:17:28,300 Speaker 4: an hour of TV or to read a book, which 274 00:17:28,300 --> 00:17:30,619 Speaker 4: would make you happier. My answer to that would be 275 00:17:30,699 --> 00:17:33,859 Speaker 4: both both would be happy. Both would make me happy. 276 00:17:34,060 --> 00:17:36,580 Speaker 2: That's right, that's fine. Then do both. Remember I didn't 277 00:17:36,580 --> 00:17:39,300 Speaker 2: say don't watch television. I just said ask yourself the question. 278 00:17:39,739 --> 00:17:41,619 Speaker 4: No, I'm not looking for you to answer to tell 279 00:17:41,659 --> 00:17:43,819 Speaker 4: me which is the correct answer for me. 280 00:17:43,939 --> 00:17:46,260 Speaker 2: Oh yeah, okay, right exactly. 281 00:17:46,419 --> 00:17:48,779 Speaker 4: So I just want you, I would like for you 282 00:17:48,820 --> 00:17:49,379 Speaker 4: to kind. 283 00:17:49,179 --> 00:17:52,659 Speaker 2: Of define happiness. Define happiness? Is that what you're asking me? 284 00:17:52,820 --> 00:17:53,020 Speaker 1: Yeah? 285 00:17:53,340 --> 00:17:56,259 Speaker 2: Basically all right, let me let me answer you with 286 00:17:56,419 --> 00:18:00,219 Speaker 2: a may may well be a totally unsatisfactory response. I 287 00:18:00,260 --> 00:18:03,419 Speaker 2: cannot define it, and I make that clear in my 288 00:18:03,540 --> 00:18:08,340 Speaker 2: in the in my book, I actually put in some 289 00:18:08,419 --> 00:18:12,580 Speaker 2: dictionary definitions, all of which do nothing but just push 290 00:18:12,619 --> 00:18:17,139 Speaker 2: the question further. I feel about happiness, though, after seventeen 291 00:18:17,219 --> 00:18:20,020 Speaker 2: years of lecturing on it and ten years of writing 292 00:18:20,260 --> 00:18:23,780 Speaker 2: a book which became a number one best seller and 293 00:18:23,820 --> 00:18:26,699 Speaker 2: having the show every week, I continue to believe that 294 00:18:26,780 --> 00:18:31,700 Speaker 2: it is not definable, but that one knows it when 295 00:18:31,859 --> 00:18:36,220 Speaker 2: one has it. It is Can you define beauty? I mean, 296 00:18:36,340 --> 00:18:39,100 Speaker 2: many of the many of the most powerful things in 297 00:18:39,139 --> 00:18:42,779 Speaker 2: our lives cannot be fully defined. We live in the 298 00:18:42,820 --> 00:18:45,739 Speaker 2: age of scientism, of the worship of science. So if 299 00:18:45,780 --> 00:18:49,899 Speaker 2: you can't bottle it and measure it and re enact 300 00:18:49,939 --> 00:18:52,740 Speaker 2: it in an experiment, and then it doesn't seem real 301 00:18:52,780 --> 00:18:55,899 Speaker 2: to people. But most of us know when we walk 302 00:18:55,939 --> 00:18:59,299 Speaker 2: around are we in a largely happy state or not. 303 00:19:00,020 --> 00:19:02,859 Speaker 2: That doesn't mean at that moment every happy person has 304 00:19:02,939 --> 00:19:05,739 Speaker 2: unhappy times. I need you to know that, and that 305 00:19:05,780 --> 00:19:10,419 Speaker 2: includes me, just as every healthy person gets sick. Sometimes. 306 00:19:11,419 --> 00:19:13,339 Speaker 2: If you had the flu and I asked you, are 307 00:19:13,379 --> 00:19:17,499 Speaker 2: you a healthy person? You would say yes, right now, 308 00:19:17,540 --> 00:19:20,740 Speaker 2: I have the flu, you would say, but I am healthy, 309 00:19:22,219 --> 00:19:25,219 Speaker 2: So too with happiness. So it's not worth working on 310 00:19:25,260 --> 00:19:29,219 Speaker 2: a definition. It'll just confuse you by whatever definition you 311 00:19:29,300 --> 00:19:33,260 Speaker 2: give it. I just ask you to ask this questions 312 00:19:33,580 --> 00:19:36,459 Speaker 2: as often as possible in the next week. Will the 313 00:19:36,540 --> 00:19:40,419 Speaker 2: following make me happier or less happy or have no effect? 314 00:19:40,780 --> 00:19:42,740 Speaker 2: We'll be back in a moment. I'm Dennis Prager. 315 00:19:44,619 --> 00:19:47,899 Speaker 1: This episode of Timeless Wisdom will continue right after this. 316 00:19:52,459 --> 00:19:57,780 Speaker 1: Now back to more of Dennis Prager's timeless wisdom. 317 00:19:57,979 --> 00:20:01,619 Speaker 2: I'm Dennis Prager. I'll tell you be more. I talk 318 00:20:01,659 --> 00:20:04,979 Speaker 2: about this particular aspect of happiness on this the Happiness 319 00:20:04,979 --> 00:20:07,859 Speaker 2: Hour on my show every week at this time. The 320 00:20:07,899 --> 00:20:09,859 Speaker 2: more I realize how important it is and I have 321 00:20:09,939 --> 00:20:12,419 Speaker 2: to explain so much about it. Now, remember what I'm saying, 322 00:20:12,419 --> 00:20:14,780 Speaker 2: and if you got on, stay on, folks. In other words, 323 00:20:14,820 --> 00:20:19,580 Speaker 2: I'm saying to the callers here now. I during the break, 324 00:20:19,580 --> 00:20:22,179 Speaker 2: I was thinking again of Brian's call on Denver. How 325 00:20:22,419 --> 00:20:26,619 Speaker 2: he called and said, well, if I ask myself, will 326 00:20:26,699 --> 00:20:31,300 Speaker 2: eating cheesecake or not forget cheesecake, well, having dessert, because 327 00:20:31,340 --> 00:20:34,019 Speaker 2: I used dessert. I often use cheesecake, which is a 328 00:20:34,060 --> 00:20:37,020 Speaker 2: bad idea because actually there are desserts that are more fattening. 329 00:20:37,020 --> 00:20:41,979 Speaker 2: But at any event, will having this dessert make me 330 00:20:42,300 --> 00:20:46,419 Speaker 2: happier or less happy? He said, But Dennis, that's insignificant. 331 00:20:46,459 --> 00:20:49,859 Speaker 2: It doesn't. It's not an issue. So I immediately knew 332 00:20:49,859 --> 00:20:53,539 Speaker 2: that he was thin. Remember that's why I'm not telling 333 00:20:53,580 --> 00:20:58,500 Speaker 2: you what will make you happy. Remember that it may 334 00:20:58,659 --> 00:21:04,180 Speaker 2: well be that on many occasions, having a good dessert 335 00:21:04,300 --> 00:21:08,139 Speaker 2: will increase your love of life, your joy, your contentment, 336 00:21:08,219 --> 00:21:11,699 Speaker 2: and the things that do help add to happiness. Absolutely, 337 00:21:13,219 --> 00:21:16,460 Speaker 2: my statement on the dessert was not anti dessert. It 338 00:21:16,540 --> 00:21:19,899 Speaker 2: was to ask yourself the question. You can ask it 339 00:21:19,979 --> 00:21:23,219 Speaker 2: about anything, anything, and that's what I want you to 340 00:21:23,260 --> 00:21:26,659 Speaker 2: do for a week. It's a great little experiment. Listen, 341 00:21:26,859 --> 00:21:29,899 Speaker 2: we have one life. Even if you believe in reincarnation, 342 00:21:30,020 --> 00:21:31,980 Speaker 2: you don't know who you were in the past anyway. 343 00:21:32,060 --> 00:21:36,619 Speaker 2: So as you are, you have this one life. It's 344 00:21:36,699 --> 00:21:40,619 Speaker 2: best to explore yourself as best as possible, not just 345 00:21:40,820 --> 00:21:43,980 Speaker 2: and of course I believe in exploring life. So here 346 00:21:44,060 --> 00:21:46,459 Speaker 2: is one way to better know you it's a terrific 347 00:21:46,580 --> 00:21:49,339 Speaker 2: little idea. One week, that's all I ask you to do. 348 00:21:49,419 --> 00:21:53,979 Speaker 2: It's fun. It's like a diary of one's emotions or 349 00:21:54,020 --> 00:22:03,020 Speaker 2: one's mindful cognizance of happiness. And before you do something, 350 00:22:03,100 --> 00:22:07,580 Speaker 2: and after just monitor am I happy? Will it make 351 00:22:07,619 --> 00:22:10,899 Speaker 2: me happy? And then afterwards and after the week as well, 352 00:22:11,340 --> 00:22:14,459 Speaker 2: ask yourself the question what made me happy during this week? 353 00:22:14,820 --> 00:22:20,219 Speaker 2: Not what was fun? What made me happy? Because clearly 354 00:22:20,260 --> 00:22:23,059 Speaker 2: having dessert is fun, but sometimes it didn't make you happier. 355 00:22:23,100 --> 00:22:27,179 Speaker 2: A lot of people who are overweight have dessert, have fun, 356 00:22:27,260 --> 00:22:30,939 Speaker 2: but it's they're so guilt ridden it actually decreases their happiness, 357 00:22:31,820 --> 00:22:36,300 Speaker 2: which is a terrible sad combination. All right, So that's 358 00:22:36,419 --> 00:22:38,780 Speaker 2: very important. Now, where is the one here I want 359 00:22:38,820 --> 00:22:42,979 Speaker 2: to do? Here you go perfect, Roseville, California, kt KZ 360 00:22:43,859 --> 00:22:46,099 Speaker 2: and Beth Beth Dennis Prager. 361 00:22:46,179 --> 00:22:50,259 Speaker 5: Hi, Hi there. I'm searching for some clarity. I have children, 362 00:22:50,540 --> 00:22:53,379 Speaker 5: I love dessert, I'm not heavy, I don't watch TV. 363 00:22:54,859 --> 00:22:57,219 Speaker 5: There are things that I will tell my children that 364 00:22:57,260 --> 00:22:59,779 Speaker 5: you need to do, even though you don't want to do. 365 00:23:00,500 --> 00:23:03,419 Speaker 5: They're not going to necessarily make you happy, but they're 366 00:23:03,500 --> 00:23:04,979 Speaker 5: necessary to your survival. 367 00:23:05,260 --> 00:23:09,139 Speaker 3: Or well like what like what your homework? 368 00:23:09,260 --> 00:23:09,980 Speaker 5: Cleaning your room? 369 00:23:10,139 --> 00:23:13,700 Speaker 2: Well, well, all right, hold on if in fact, cleaning 370 00:23:13,739 --> 00:23:16,859 Speaker 2: their room or homework will not in the long run 371 00:23:16,899 --> 00:23:19,580 Speaker 2: make them happier, it's something for you to really think. 372 00:23:19,619 --> 00:23:23,659 Speaker 2: Why is it important? I I attribute so much importance 373 00:23:23,699 --> 00:23:28,179 Speaker 2: to happiness that you know, I believe of I believe 374 00:23:28,219 --> 00:23:30,379 Speaker 2: a clean room will ultimately make you happier. 375 00:23:31,340 --> 00:23:34,899 Speaker 5: I would agree because a clean house makes me happier 376 00:23:35,219 --> 00:23:37,099 Speaker 5: than seeing things that need to be done that are 377 00:23:37,379 --> 00:23:38,219 Speaker 5: not complete. 378 00:23:38,379 --> 00:23:42,059 Speaker 2: Exactly. So there you go. So then there is a 379 00:23:42,060 --> 00:23:47,020 Speaker 2: happiness answer this just that isn't fun cleaning it. In fact, 380 00:23:47,060 --> 00:23:49,740 Speaker 2: cleaning the house may be the perfect example of that 381 00:23:49,780 --> 00:23:53,980 Speaker 2: which which doesn't bring, which is not fun or joyful 382 00:23:54,060 --> 00:23:56,619 Speaker 2: during it. I assume that that's true. I'm not sure 383 00:23:56,659 --> 00:23:59,780 Speaker 2: you sing through laundry. No, all right, so there you go. 384 00:24:00,060 --> 00:24:02,899 Speaker 2: But but that is, by the way, that is why 385 00:24:03,379 --> 00:24:06,300 Speaker 2: I have another which I alan, I'm gonna put this down. 386 00:24:06,340 --> 00:24:08,819 Speaker 2: I have to do this again another time. How do 387 00:24:08,939 --> 00:24:12,780 Speaker 2: we make the stuff that isn't fun into more fun? 388 00:24:13,219 --> 00:24:15,740 Speaker 5: What is the mundane? Yeah, doing mundane isn't necessarily what's 389 00:24:15,739 --> 00:24:16,580 Speaker 5: going to keep its happy. 390 00:24:16,659 --> 00:24:19,939 Speaker 2: That's well, No, the mundane will make you happier, because 391 00:24:19,939 --> 00:24:22,539 Speaker 2: if you didn't do the mundane cleaning of your house, 392 00:24:22,659 --> 00:24:25,779 Speaker 2: it would be an unhappier home. There's just no question 393 00:24:25,859 --> 00:24:26,299 Speaker 2: about that. 394 00:24:26,459 --> 00:24:27,499 Speaker 6: I agree with all right. 395 00:24:27,540 --> 00:24:30,939 Speaker 2: By the way, though, it is worth asking yourself, at 396 00:24:30,979 --> 00:24:36,859 Speaker 2: what level of happiness are the returns minimal? In other words, 397 00:24:36,939 --> 00:24:40,739 Speaker 2: at what level of cleanliness will I now go beyond 398 00:24:40,859 --> 00:24:43,619 Speaker 2: what is necessary for my happiness and enter into some 399 00:24:43,820 --> 00:24:48,379 Speaker 2: realm of obsession? That's right. No, people really might have 400 00:24:48,459 --> 00:24:51,539 Speaker 2: to do that. I mean, God, God bless them, my 401 00:24:51,659 --> 00:24:54,939 Speaker 2: parents and their whole generation. This is a very funny thing. 402 00:24:55,060 --> 00:24:59,100 Speaker 2: From my parents' generation would put plastic on the sofas. 403 00:25:00,300 --> 00:25:02,939 Speaker 5: I don't know if you've ever seen that. 404 00:25:02,979 --> 00:25:05,459 Speaker 2: Okay, well there you go, and you know, so there 405 00:25:05,500 --> 00:25:09,059 Speaker 2: you had a level of cleanliness that was that couldn't 406 00:25:09,060 --> 00:25:11,300 Speaker 2: be beaten. You can't get a dirty sofa if it's 407 00:25:11,300 --> 00:25:14,019 Speaker 2: covered in plastic. But did you ever sit on a 408 00:25:14,060 --> 00:25:19,020 Speaker 2: sofa covered in plastic? We'll be back. That's a very 409 00:25:19,060 --> 00:25:22,820 Speaker 2: important call, Beth, I thank you. I will deal with that, 410 00:25:23,100 --> 00:25:26,419 Speaker 2: not today, but I will deal without another happiness hour 411 00:25:26,699 --> 00:25:28,980 Speaker 2: on making them mundane more fun. I have a lot 412 00:25:28,979 --> 00:25:30,619 Speaker 2: of thoughts on that. And it's in my book. We'll 413 00:25:30,659 --> 00:25:36,419 Speaker 2: be back in a moment. All right, everybody, you're listening 414 00:25:36,459 --> 00:25:38,740 Speaker 2: to the Dennis Prager Show. This is the Happiness Hour. 415 00:25:39,580 --> 00:25:43,139 Speaker 2: Every Friday at this time I devote an hour to 416 00:25:43,179 --> 00:25:45,139 Speaker 2: the subject of happiness. Gives you an idea of how 417 00:25:45,179 --> 00:25:48,100 Speaker 2: important I think it is, not only because it's the 418 00:25:48,139 --> 00:25:50,300 Speaker 2: obvious that it's good to be happy, but happy people 419 00:25:50,340 --> 00:25:54,219 Speaker 2: make the world the better. As a general rule, we 420 00:25:54,300 --> 00:25:59,379 Speaker 2: don't expect the happy to commit acts of terrorism, for example, 421 00:26:00,139 --> 00:26:04,059 Speaker 2: or to join the Nazi Party. A happy Nazi is 422 00:26:04,100 --> 00:26:08,100 Speaker 2: somewhat of an oxymoron. I think you would acknowledge, so 423 00:26:08,619 --> 00:26:12,300 Speaker 2: happy people is a big deal. Now. Today's today's subject 424 00:26:12,500 --> 00:26:16,900 Speaker 2: is ask yourself before you do anything. Will this increase, decrease, 425 00:26:17,020 --> 00:26:20,139 Speaker 2: or have no effect on my happiness? That's all. It's 426 00:26:20,139 --> 00:26:22,779 Speaker 2: an interesting project for you to engage in over the 427 00:26:22,859 --> 00:26:26,179 Speaker 2: next week and ask yourself that over the long term, 428 00:26:26,780 --> 00:26:31,820 Speaker 2: will will staying single you men who don't want to commit, 429 00:26:32,139 --> 00:26:35,659 Speaker 2: Will staying single make me a happier person twenty years 430 00:26:35,739 --> 00:26:37,980 Speaker 2: down the line? Will I be happier for having been 431 00:26:39,100 --> 00:26:42,219 Speaker 2: having not made a home with somebody? That's all? Just 432 00:26:42,300 --> 00:26:44,979 Speaker 2: ask yourself these quests. Maybe you will. I'm not telling 433 00:26:45,060 --> 00:26:46,780 Speaker 2: you what the answers are. I do that on different 434 00:26:46,820 --> 00:26:49,899 Speaker 2: hours when we talk about values. Today is just happiness 435 00:26:50,020 --> 00:26:55,580 Speaker 2: or not today this particular subject. Naples, Florida, WCNZ and Pete. 436 00:26:55,619 --> 00:26:56,739 Speaker 2: Hello Pete, Dennis. 437 00:26:56,459 --> 00:27:01,779 Speaker 7: Prager Hello, Hi, I am Pete Starsan. I wanted to 438 00:27:01,859 --> 00:27:04,939 Speaker 7: tell you why I agree with you on the matter 439 00:27:05,100 --> 00:27:08,139 Speaker 7: of reading a book for one hour is more pleasurable 440 00:27:08,260 --> 00:27:09,980 Speaker 7: than watching TV for the one hour. 441 00:27:10,739 --> 00:27:10,899 Speaker 2: Yes. 442 00:27:11,659 --> 00:27:14,139 Speaker 7: The reason why I say so is the mind numbing 443 00:27:14,219 --> 00:27:17,060 Speaker 7: performance that you see on the television. It just leaves 444 00:27:17,100 --> 00:27:20,419 Speaker 7: you avoid well. If you spend our reading, at least 445 00:27:20,899 --> 00:27:23,859 Speaker 7: nation gets fired if you get something done. I feel 446 00:27:23,899 --> 00:27:27,980 Speaker 7: like if it makes me feel better about my mind 447 00:27:28,020 --> 00:27:29,899 Speaker 7: and who I am. But the same thing is true 448 00:27:29,939 --> 00:27:34,179 Speaker 7: in so many other aspects. You're talking about hours watching television, 449 00:27:34,179 --> 00:27:36,499 Speaker 7: and let's say spending on an hour talking with your child, 450 00:27:36,739 --> 00:27:39,979 Speaker 7: that's right, I personally would say spending all with my 451 00:27:40,139 --> 00:27:43,659 Speaker 7: child or an hour in the gym. Pis ave. Spending 452 00:27:43,699 --> 00:27:47,939 Speaker 7: an hour on the internet. I'd say spending it all 453 00:27:48,020 --> 00:27:48,419 Speaker 7: in the gym. 454 00:27:48,780 --> 00:27:52,780 Speaker 2: Right. In every example, every You're right, Pete, I agree 455 00:27:52,780 --> 00:27:56,340 Speaker 2: with you. But in every example, the tougher choice was 456 00:27:56,379 --> 00:27:59,540 Speaker 2: the one that brought happiness. And that is why I 457 00:27:59,699 --> 00:28:02,979 Speaker 2: cited Allan's point. My producer, Alan Estrin, that's why I 458 00:28:03,540 --> 00:28:06,179 Speaker 2: cited his point about how laziness is one of the 459 00:28:06,379 --> 00:28:12,019 Speaker 2: key obstacles to happiness because that which when you give in, 460 00:28:12,419 --> 00:28:16,300 Speaker 2: when you do the easy thing, you are probably doing 461 00:28:16,379 --> 00:28:19,499 Speaker 2: the thing that will decrease your happiness. The easier thing 462 00:28:19,619 --> 00:28:21,219 Speaker 2: is not to work out. The easy to think is 463 00:28:21,300 --> 00:28:22,980 Speaker 2: to eat what you want. The easy and by the way, 464 00:28:23,139 --> 00:28:26,100 Speaker 2: I need this message as much as anybody. Don't think 465 00:28:26,139 --> 00:28:29,100 Speaker 2: whenever I say these things that I have imbibed these 466 00:28:29,219 --> 00:28:32,700 Speaker 2: ideas entirely. No, I haven't. I fight laziness all the time. 467 00:28:33,580 --> 00:28:37,300 Speaker 2: It's you know, I could vegetate, well, not vegetating in 468 00:28:37,379 --> 00:28:39,300 Speaker 2: a sense of stare out. I can never watch TV 469 00:28:39,940 --> 00:28:41,940 Speaker 2: that I acknowledge, but I could, you know, I could 470 00:28:42,060 --> 00:28:45,940 Speaker 2: just do my hobbies all day. Absolutely, there's no question. 471 00:28:47,620 --> 00:28:50,980 Speaker 2: And so you have to figure out ways to get 472 00:28:51,060 --> 00:28:54,060 Speaker 2: around your nature. But at least one way is to think. 473 00:28:54,219 --> 00:28:56,340 Speaker 2: That's why we have the mind versus the brain. The 474 00:28:56,420 --> 00:28:59,340 Speaker 2: brain wants to sit, the mind wants to work out. 475 00:29:00,580 --> 00:29:05,020 Speaker 2: And I'm appealing to your mind. What will make you happier? 476 00:29:05,459 --> 00:29:07,620 Speaker 2: I thank you, Pete. That was that was correct what 477 00:29:07,820 --> 00:29:10,740 Speaker 2: you said. And let's go to Richard in Los Angeles 478 00:29:11,420 --> 00:29:12,979 Speaker 2: on kr L A Hello Richard. 479 00:29:13,900 --> 00:29:16,580 Speaker 6: The first of all, God, that's that you do the show. 480 00:29:16,620 --> 00:29:19,020 Speaker 6: I think it's a great thing for everybody. 481 00:29:18,660 --> 00:29:20,499 Speaker 2: To thank you, thank you, good thing. 482 00:29:20,940 --> 00:29:23,580 Speaker 6: The reason I'm calling is and actually thinking of what 483 00:29:23,700 --> 00:29:25,660 Speaker 6: a lot of the other people said. I have been, 484 00:29:25,860 --> 00:29:28,900 Speaker 6: and I for a long time a depressed person. Somebody 485 00:29:28,940 --> 00:29:31,779 Speaker 6: who's in depression, bottom line, does not want to do 486 00:29:31,940 --> 00:29:34,100 Speaker 6: very much that's right, of anything that's right. And the 487 00:29:34,219 --> 00:29:36,259 Speaker 6: more that I do not do things, the more it 488 00:29:36,420 --> 00:29:40,380 Speaker 6: is easier to continue that sort of pattern. And that 489 00:29:40,620 --> 00:29:42,539 Speaker 6: leads to, of course, I'm sure you know. 490 00:29:42,900 --> 00:29:46,539 Speaker 2: Not being happy exactly, it's a horribly vicious cycle. 491 00:29:46,820 --> 00:29:49,219 Speaker 6: And there's no action. The thing that is not is 492 00:29:49,300 --> 00:29:52,940 Speaker 6: lacking is action. What is happening is in action. So 493 00:29:52,979 --> 00:29:55,660 Speaker 6: it's like if you if you don't want to let's 494 00:29:55,660 --> 00:29:58,180 Speaker 6: say do something. It's almost like in a lot of 495 00:29:58,300 --> 00:30:00,060 Speaker 6: cases you need to do the opposite. So if you 496 00:30:00,100 --> 00:30:01,860 Speaker 6: don't say, well I don't want to go out and 497 00:30:01,979 --> 00:30:06,060 Speaker 6: go to the park or something for whatever reason, say no, 498 00:30:06,260 --> 00:30:08,059 Speaker 6: it would be good to go to the park, go there, 499 00:30:08,180 --> 00:30:12,900 Speaker 6: walk around do something, because that is something that would 500 00:30:12,900 --> 00:30:14,900 Speaker 6: be the opposite of what you would be thinking of doing, 501 00:30:15,140 --> 00:30:17,459 Speaker 6: being depressed and not wanting to get ready to go 502 00:30:18,140 --> 00:30:20,979 Speaker 6: or doing anything like that. And it's something that's who 503 00:30:21,100 --> 00:30:24,979 Speaker 6: is in my situation that I have difficulty with because 504 00:30:25,100 --> 00:30:25,380 Speaker 6: are you. 505 00:30:25,500 --> 00:30:26,700 Speaker 2: On an antidepressant? 506 00:30:26,820 --> 00:30:26,980 Speaker 6: Yes? 507 00:30:27,060 --> 00:30:28,140 Speaker 2: I am? Is it working? 508 00:30:29,500 --> 00:30:31,820 Speaker 6: I to be honest, I'm not sure. I'm not sure 509 00:30:31,860 --> 00:30:35,100 Speaker 6: because I still feel like I'm I'm depressed. 510 00:30:35,340 --> 00:30:36,780 Speaker 2: Can you go? Can you go to work? 511 00:30:38,540 --> 00:30:38,820 Speaker 6: Nope? 512 00:30:39,100 --> 00:30:41,140 Speaker 2: So you're all right, So you're on a level where 513 00:30:41,219 --> 00:30:43,420 Speaker 2: it actually paralyzes you your depression. 514 00:30:44,219 --> 00:30:44,420 Speaker 6: Yeah? 515 00:30:44,900 --> 00:30:47,740 Speaker 2: And what what pill are you taking? What medicine? 516 00:30:48,820 --> 00:30:53,219 Speaker 6: I take a lot of seconds. One is called remarn 517 00:30:53,420 --> 00:30:54,979 Speaker 6: and the other one is called well buttri and I 518 00:30:55,020 --> 00:30:55,700 Speaker 6: actually take two. 519 00:30:56,300 --> 00:30:59,059 Speaker 2: Yeah. Well, well Buttrian should give you a little perk up, 520 00:30:59,140 --> 00:31:00,580 Speaker 2: but it doesn't. It's not so much of an it. 521 00:31:01,060 --> 00:31:03,180 Speaker 6: Tell me honest, I've been taking these long enough that 522 00:31:03,260 --> 00:31:03,979 Speaker 6: I want to, well. 523 00:31:03,860 --> 00:31:05,540 Speaker 2: Why why don't you take other ones? There were so 524 00:31:05,660 --> 00:31:07,860 Speaker 2: many to choose from you. Are you one to the 525 00:31:07,940 --> 00:31:08,980 Speaker 2: care of a psychiatrist? 526 00:31:09,180 --> 00:31:11,700 Speaker 6: Yes, I think at this point, because of how long 527 00:31:11,700 --> 00:31:13,499 Speaker 6: I've been taking this, I think that I need to 528 00:31:13,620 --> 00:31:17,820 Speaker 6: talk to my doctor, because I still don't. I feel 529 00:31:17,820 --> 00:31:21,020 Speaker 6: all that I'm not getting better as far is being 530 00:31:21,100 --> 00:31:22,819 Speaker 6: able to get out and do. 531 00:31:24,459 --> 00:31:27,420 Speaker 2: Right. Obviously not, obviously not. And my heart goes out 532 00:31:27,459 --> 00:31:30,739 Speaker 2: to you. But I'll tell you every year is a 533 00:31:30,900 --> 00:31:32,979 Speaker 2: lost year. And I you know, I don't want to 534 00:31:33,380 --> 00:31:35,420 Speaker 2: depress you further, but I want to give you a 535 00:31:35,540 --> 00:31:38,340 Speaker 2: sense you know you may well have it, but I 536 00:31:38,500 --> 00:31:41,459 Speaker 2: just want to give you a sense of urgency that 537 00:31:41,620 --> 00:31:45,220 Speaker 2: you know there were so many different medications out there 538 00:31:45,380 --> 00:31:48,979 Speaker 2: that maybe look, maybe it's it's not doable. I don't know. 539 00:31:49,180 --> 00:31:52,580 Speaker 2: And as well as talk therapy anyway, good luck, my friend, 540 00:31:52,580 --> 00:31:56,100 Speaker 2: because I do I feel for you on that. Let's 541 00:31:56,140 --> 00:31:59,220 Speaker 2: go to someone who claims he can define happiness. That's 542 00:31:59,300 --> 00:32:05,540 Speaker 2: that's that's a bold claim. Shall home in Los Angeles, Hello, Shalloam, shalloam, 543 00:32:05,620 --> 00:32:06,580 Speaker 2: shall hoam, sell. 544 00:32:06,459 --> 00:32:08,779 Speaker 8: Them Dennis Rabbi, Den Baxley. But you can call me 545 00:32:08,820 --> 00:32:11,580 Speaker 8: so them please. I teach classes here in Los Angeles 546 00:32:11,660 --> 00:32:15,860 Speaker 8: on happiness and relationships and other things. And I my 547 00:32:16,100 --> 00:32:19,900 Speaker 8: thing in general, not so much happiness. But you say 548 00:32:20,219 --> 00:32:23,180 Speaker 8: something you can't define, right, And I always stress that 549 00:32:23,459 --> 00:32:26,300 Speaker 8: you need to define things otherwise because we can fool 550 00:32:26,340 --> 00:32:28,940 Speaker 8: ourselves into thinking that we have something. 551 00:32:28,979 --> 00:32:31,459 Speaker 2: All right, fair enough. What's your definition of happiness? 552 00:32:31,780 --> 00:32:35,900 Speaker 8: Happiness? My definition is the emotional feeling you get when 553 00:32:35,940 --> 00:32:39,300 Speaker 8: you focus on and appreciate that which you have or 554 00:32:39,380 --> 00:32:40,219 Speaker 8: which you are doing. 555 00:32:43,739 --> 00:32:47,620 Speaker 2: I'm quiet because I'm ruminating over it. It is the 556 00:32:47,700 --> 00:32:51,499 Speaker 2: emotional feeling that you have when you focus on what. 557 00:32:51,660 --> 00:32:54,259 Speaker 8: You are doing, that which you have, that what you have, 558 00:32:54,420 --> 00:32:55,820 Speaker 8: or that you're what you are doing. 559 00:32:56,260 --> 00:32:58,700 Speaker 2: So for you, happiness is an emotional state. 560 00:32:59,540 --> 00:33:00,700 Speaker 8: I think that is for everyone. 561 00:33:00,940 --> 00:33:04,100 Speaker 2: All right, we'll be back in a moment. We'll continue. 562 00:33:05,900 --> 00:33:09,180 Speaker 1: This episode of Timeless Wisdom will continue right after this. 563 00:33:13,739 --> 00:33:17,300 Speaker 1: Now back to more of Dennis Prager's Timeless Wisdom. 564 00:33:18,739 --> 00:33:23,100 Speaker 2: Dennis Prager here and nah, Rabbi Selim and I should 565 00:33:23,100 --> 00:33:25,180 Speaker 2: have a long talk on this. And I thank you 566 00:33:25,300 --> 00:33:27,779 Speaker 2: for your call. Only because of time, Rabbi, I'm not 567 00:33:27,900 --> 00:33:31,700 Speaker 2: continuing on your call, but the I'll tell you the 568 00:33:31,820 --> 00:33:33,900 Speaker 2: immediate problem and if you want to email me or 569 00:33:34,180 --> 00:33:36,020 Speaker 2: you know, even I would allow you to call again. 570 00:33:36,100 --> 00:33:37,820 Speaker 2: You know, even though we try to take different calls 571 00:33:37,860 --> 00:33:44,019 Speaker 2: each week. Next week, is that the problem with relying 572 00:33:44,100 --> 00:33:46,860 Speaker 2: on an emotional state in any in any event, for 573 00:33:47,219 --> 00:33:50,620 Speaker 2: a definition of happiness to me at any rate? Is 574 00:33:50,739 --> 00:33:54,060 Speaker 2: that Take the lady who is cleaning her home. The 575 00:33:54,180 --> 00:33:58,739 Speaker 2: emotional state while cleaning is not you know, for the 576 00:33:58,979 --> 00:34:02,540 Speaker 2: thousandth day in a row, doing the laundry is not 577 00:34:02,739 --> 00:34:09,060 Speaker 2: going to necessarily be a happy one. But having having 578 00:34:09,219 --> 00:34:13,219 Speaker 2: done it, there is happiness because the family is in 579 00:34:13,340 --> 00:34:15,739 Speaker 2: better shape. In fact, if you're still on, are you 580 00:34:15,780 --> 00:34:16,219 Speaker 2: still there? 581 00:34:16,580 --> 00:34:16,739 Speaker 7: Yes? 582 00:34:17,500 --> 00:34:17,779 Speaker 8: How do you? 583 00:34:18,620 --> 00:34:19,260 Speaker 2: Yeah? Go ahead? 584 00:34:19,340 --> 00:34:23,060 Speaker 8: Certainly. I agree that relying on your emotions will not 585 00:34:23,300 --> 00:34:26,020 Speaker 8: determine your happiness if you listen to the definition your 586 00:34:26,500 --> 00:34:30,820 Speaker 8: your intellectual your thought process determines your emotions. 587 00:34:30,859 --> 00:34:35,140 Speaker 2: But you gave emotional state is part of your definition? 588 00:34:35,299 --> 00:34:37,900 Speaker 8: Said, yeah, correct, I'll repeat it. It's the emotional feeling 589 00:34:38,460 --> 00:34:42,540 Speaker 8: based on your way of thinking when you focus on 590 00:34:42,859 --> 00:34:44,739 Speaker 8: and appreciate that what you have or that what you're 591 00:34:44,819 --> 00:34:47,460 Speaker 8: doing is a way of thinking. Oh okay, so that 592 00:34:47,580 --> 00:34:49,739 Speaker 8: way you think determines your emotions. 593 00:34:49,779 --> 00:34:52,740 Speaker 2: All right, fair enough, Okay, thank you? Because I believe 594 00:34:52,779 --> 00:34:56,060 Speaker 2: that that we can't as obviously you now do too, 595 00:34:56,500 --> 00:34:59,420 Speaker 2: or have before, and I just didn't hear it correctly. 596 00:35:00,739 --> 00:35:02,379 Speaker 2: That's why I say in my book, I appeal to 597 00:35:02,500 --> 00:35:05,620 Speaker 2: the mind rather than the emotions. On the issue. All right, 598 00:35:05,700 --> 00:35:08,939 Speaker 2: let's see here. You know it's a prolezy in Gordon. 599 00:35:09,060 --> 00:35:11,140 Speaker 2: You can do something that makes you happy as you're 600 00:35:11,180 --> 00:35:14,259 Speaker 2: doing something you don't like to do. Yes, yes, you can. 601 00:35:15,299 --> 00:35:17,020 Speaker 2: In fact, that's why a lot of people listen to 602 00:35:17,180 --> 00:35:19,939 Speaker 2: a show like this while they're doing some mundane task. 603 00:35:20,620 --> 00:35:24,339 Speaker 2: It's a good example. Or listen to music absolutely and 604 00:35:25,540 --> 00:35:28,299 Speaker 2: oh boy, let's see Jennifer and Phoenix. You got a 605 00:35:28,339 --> 00:35:29,500 Speaker 2: few seconds. Give it to me. 606 00:35:30,460 --> 00:35:33,820 Speaker 9: Hey, Dennis, happy Friday, Thank you say. I just wanted 607 00:35:33,819 --> 00:35:36,219 Speaker 9: to make a quick comment and just let you know that, 608 00:35:36,380 --> 00:35:38,620 Speaker 9: you know, in all of my thirty four years of 609 00:35:38,660 --> 00:35:41,100 Speaker 9: being an incredibly happy person, the irony of it was 610 00:35:41,180 --> 00:35:43,939 Speaker 9: I was very judgmental about people who said they were 611 00:35:44,060 --> 00:35:47,219 Speaker 9: depressed and on medication, and I was very judgmental, like, 612 00:35:47,299 --> 00:35:50,060 Speaker 9: come on, get it together, because I didn't understand it. 613 00:35:50,580 --> 00:35:52,299 Speaker 9: And then I was in a serious accident where I 614 00:35:52,380 --> 00:35:54,259 Speaker 9: was burned pretty bad and I had to be on 615 00:35:54,420 --> 00:35:59,420 Speaker 9: narcotics for a few months. And part of my experience 616 00:35:59,460 --> 00:36:01,739 Speaker 9: with the narcotics is I went through bring chemical highs 617 00:36:01,779 --> 00:36:04,379 Speaker 9: and lows and let me tell you something, I get 618 00:36:04,460 --> 00:36:08,020 Speaker 9: it now. It is debilitating when you have this chemistry 619 00:36:08,060 --> 00:36:10,060 Speaker 9: that goes on when you don't want to leave the house, 620 00:36:10,700 --> 00:36:12,540 Speaker 9: you know, you don't want to function. And now I 621 00:36:12,620 --> 00:36:15,299 Speaker 9: am a much happier person than I've experienced that. And 622 00:36:15,380 --> 00:36:18,499 Speaker 9: then I have compassion and understanding for people who are well. 623 00:36:18,540 --> 00:36:22,180 Speaker 2: I am glad. I got to take your Jennifer. How 624 00:36:22,219 --> 00:36:26,379 Speaker 2: do you develop empathy? Alan, That's a subject. How do 625 00:36:26,460 --> 00:36:30,339 Speaker 2: you develop empathy? How could the thin guy, how can 626 00:36:30,420 --> 00:36:34,419 Speaker 2: he empathize with the overweight? How can the beautiful empathize 627 00:36:34,500 --> 00:36:37,459 Speaker 2: with the ugly? It's a big question. This has been 628 00:36:37,540 --> 00:36:39,900 Speaker 2: the happiness Hour. Don't go away. I'm Dennis Prager. 629 00:36:42,219 --> 00:36:46,539 Speaker 1: This has been timeless wisdom with Dennis Prager. Visit dennispragger 630 00:36:46,620 --> 00:36:50,100 Speaker 1: dot com for thousands of hours of Dennis's lectures, courses, 631 00:36:50,180 --> 00:36:54,819 Speaker 1: and classic radio programs, and to purchase Dennis Prager's Rational Bibles.