can you be happy and powerful?

[spilledchemicals]

I just don't think it's possible. Whoever said ignorance is bliss was right, because after learning the truth, I only find happiness in my own fleeting acomplishments, but thats just it. Fleeting. But I can never forget, and I am sure I made the right choice. So what I ask "can you be happy and powerful?" I am asking for the long term.

[brandonslau]

Yes I think you can be. Take oprah winfrey for an example.

[poesraven]

I think so. Define powerful though? Like powerful physically, or mentally?

[spilledchemicals]

I should have been clearer, I meant mentally, as well as psionically, powerful. And please no one say power is all an illusion, I want the debate on this topic.

And do you really think Oprah's happy? She has all her money, and yet when she tries anything to support someone politically, people thinking to much about her to care.

[brandonslau]

I do think oprah is happy. She has overcome alot in her life. It's hard to leave your past behind and not show it.

[odbod]

I believe that if you are powerful, as in 'king' of a country, you would be happy.... but not a great happy. A great happy would be you accomplished something, and you are a proud of it.

But, I believe powerful, as in moving, inspiring, can run along with true happiness that you are helping others, and you have achieved going through turmoils that everyone as to face.

[T_Hornberger]

I think if you have gotten this power by hard work, and in the end you realize how much work you've done to acquire this power, you would be happy for yourself because what you have accomplished to get this far. Also what you have in life is a big factor in that. Say this guy becomes mayor, but he has no family or friends, he will most likely not be happy. Now you take this other guy, he becomes a new mayor, but has family and friends, he has power, and he is most definitely happy. It all depends on what variables you have thrown in there. I think however a lot of it rests on accomplishments also though. You do good hard work to get it and your proud. Or you work hard, and you are powerful, and lets say you take on a student to teach them the knowledge you know, that would mean you are powerful, but happy to be spreading knowledge. In the end, I think that it truly depends on the person. there are those people out there that are always wanting to be better. they are strong, but always always looking for another way to be best at what they do. Those people will never be happy, because once they reach that limit they will keep striving for their goal regardless. So like I said, I think a lot of it depends on the person themself, and the variables, or the situation it's in.