We can be happy
All of us want to be happy. Most of us haven’t much success.
We have occasional glimpses and that’s about it. Pursuing
happiness is unquestionably the focus of our lives. In order to
be happy, like the ‘pimpernel’ we seek it here, there and
everywhere. It’s almost always just a step ahead. Targets are set,
a new job, another degree, salary increase, the most wonderful
person in the world, all dead certs for happiness. A short-lived
euphoric state, splutters, fades and fizzles out. What now? New
targets are set, a bigger house, a really
fantastic garden, 45ft yacht. This time
it’s sure to succeed. Just like the
fairytales, I will be happy, but will I?
in our emotional lives, other highs and ecstatic moments leave
as quickly as they come. We need something that will last,
something dependable which will give us joy and peace. We
want a default mode in which we are at ease and content. Let’s
call it Class A happiness.
Components of happiness include joy, peace, tranquility, love
and hope to mention but a few. Throw in material sufficiency,
health and companionship. Surely with
such a combination we have cracked it.
Happiness is guaranteed. If only? But
why not?
“Focus on the
“now” and
happiness is
assured.”
Other sure fire, well-trodden happiness
trails are alcohol, drugs, promiscuity
and gambling. These do the trick for a
while. Unfortunately because of
receptors in our own brain we need
more and more of the same to get a
worthwhile effect. Result is often
addiction, overdose, depression,
mental damage and suicide. Not the
sought for happy outcome. Happiness,
like Santa Claus, is a figment of our imagination. happiness is rare.
Before throwing in the towel, it might be worth our while to
examine what exactly we seek. What is happiness? The concept
is hazy. It surely it isn’t the happy, clappy let’s have another
drink type. Doesn’t last and we know it. Spikes like this flashing Recently, a number of books have been published on
mindfulness. One notably one written by Echkard Tolle called
“The Power of the Now”. This excellent book highlights the
psychological fact that human experience is generally fixed
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Unhappiness is, unfortunately, very
well armed. Wading in against our
Class A happiness we have an army of
downers. Looking ahead, a state we
revel in, we meet fear, anxiety, unease
and loads and loads of “what ifs”.
Looking backwards we face regret,
guilt, sorrow and of course loads and
loads of “if only’s.” Burdened with self-
created fears and sorrows, Class A