Because most people would rather be certain they're miserable, than risk being happy. Actual happiness always looks pretty squalid in comparison with the overcompensations for misery. Stability isn't nearly so spectacular as instability. Being contented has none of the glamour of a good fight against misfortune, none of the picturesqueness of a struggle with temptation, or a fatal overthrow by passion or doubt. Happiness is never grand. The sense of unhappiness is so much easier to convey than that of happiness. In misery we seem aware of our own existence, even though it may be in the form of a monstrous egotism: '
this pain of mine is individual, this nerve that winces belongs to me and to no other.' But happiness annihilates us: we lose our identity. Generally speaking, the most miserable people I know are those who are obsessed with themselves; the happiest people I know are those who lose themselves in the service of others...By and large, I have come to see that if we complain about life, it is because we are thinking only of ourselves.
We as a society have come to devalue traits like kindness and optimism as simple, common and naive when in reality they're undervalued, difficult to practice, and not at all common. Be the reason someone smiles. Be the reason someone feels loved and believes in the goodness in people and you'll find some truth in the adage: "Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves." Happiness is rare? Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions. People are able to be as happy as they make their minds up to be. You have everything you need for complete peace and total happiness right now. You just need to remember: happiness doesn't depend upon who you are or what you have, it depends solely upon what you think. <:
And if all else fails look at puppies. Puppies are instant happiness
Why weren't you my philosophy teacher?
How many chickens would it take to kill an elephant?
