Someone said "Be Selfish, Seek Pleasure, Avoid Pain" and You'll Lead a Happier Life

I first read this from a Facebook posting and recalled it today while figuring out tactics to use in doing results producing activities. Most probably, the original posting came from here (Be Selfish, Seek Pleasure, Avoid Pain). I've enthusiastically shared this admonishment to some close friends during a usual gathering for a hearty meal and an inspiring conversation among friends. They laughed aloud at the idea, which I made sure I shared with them as I wanted them to be always happy. Actually, in my mind, they're the perfect examples of how this admonition is best put into action. I see how they're leading their lives, generally, in this manner. Of course, they deny it, which is normal. Who likes to be told "you're selfish." Or that you only seek pleasure in life, more than anything else. Or you're being considered cowardly because you always avoid pain, even the mere mention of it. We were told to think of others as well as we were growing up, and that we can't put ourselves ahead of others if we are to live harmoniously with others.

But come to think of it, this admonition is a wise one, and a very practical one at that. However, you ALWAYS have to keep in mind that you can't practice only one part of the admonition. You have to put all three ideas into action all the time; they can't be done individually from one another. Or else, you'll get bad results and become unhappy, in turn. 

It's also very relevant in practicing your efforts to move on from one stage of your life to another. Repeat: do all the ideas included in this formula on achieving happiness, altogether, when you like to practice the formula. That's the critical part in making sense out of this admonishment. I like to believe that it's a modern take to Lucretius' 'De Rerum Natura' (On the Nature of Things), a must-read book that you have to find time to read and relish, even in its translated versions (unless you read and understand Latin, the language of which the oldest translation of this ancient book was written on and translated from by sages of centuries past). In its pages are found strangely written very long poetic verses, most of which carry useful, time-tested formulas in achieving and leading a happy life. 

Anyhow, I've shared here some YouTube videos on Lucretius' book, which you may want to know more about. Enjoy (that's probably one of the best advice I've heard about in leading a happy life).