I think happiness is a state of mind. One either is in that state of mind, or not. There are no things that "make" me happy. If I am in the right mood, many things "make" (ie. entice, invite, trigger) me to be happy -- esp. animals and flowers. And shiny happy people. Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
Pleasure leaves with the moment Happiness stays to wave farewell Peace looks on and smiles. - Mine Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
There are three, no, four things that make me unhappy: money problems, stress at work, relationship troubles and seeing people hurt. When external pressures outweigh your internal "counterpressure", you get that sinking feeling - sadness. But even then, there is a core inside me that's always happy. I've heard some call it "inner peace", but it certainly isn't always peaceful. But it's always there. Strange, that I discovered it at a time when I thought there could be no possible reason to be happy. I still smile at myself when I rememember the first thought I had, that it spoiled the "fun" of feeling sorry for myself! Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image! (at myself).
If you are not happy people almost demand nowadays that you go to the doctor and take some pills. Why? Aren't we allowed to be unhappy anymore?
Spuriousmonkey, I can think of several reasons (in no specific order): 1. In general, modern Western society is extremely afraid of insanity. Anything that even remotely reminds of it in any way whatsoever, is regarded as bad. 2. The pharmaceutic industry needs to live too. 3. Today is the age when one can be a characterless twit and survive well. It seems that those who have a wide range of emotions, also have a lot of character. But, as #1 says, a wide range of emotions points in the direction of insanity. So choose: weither have a wide range of emotions and *you* consider yourself sane; or have a narrow range of emotions and be considered sane by *others*, ie. the modern Western society, whatever this media construct may be.
I have to say that many sane persons are rather boring... Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
And I find it utterly depressing that people act insane -- just so that they would be considered interesting.
