R U HAPPEE?
The Goddess was talking to my mother on the phone the other night. She was telling my mom about some friends having marital problems and how that depresses her. See, my wife is an extremely cheerful person who can’t help but see the good in everyone. Sometimes that leads to gullibility, but mostly it’s quite endearing. So when she hears about others having troubles, it always shocks and surprises her.
My mother couldn’t understand why she would be so shocked to hear that someone wasn’t happy in their life.
“I’m happy,” replied my wife, “so I just kind of expect that everyone else is too.”
“C’mon, you mean to tell me you’re actually happy? That you’re happy about your life? I can’t believe that.” was my mother’s incredulous response.
This blew my wife away, that my mother couldn’t believe that she was really, truly, unabashedly happy about her life. Me, not so much blowing away going on. I grew up with the woman. If there’s one constant in her life it’s being able to find something to bitch about. My mother would probably be unhappy if she couldn’t find fault with something.
But enough about my mother. As surprising as this may sound, coming from someone who has dealt with depression their whole life, I would say that I am happy. My life is pretty darn good. Even when I’m depressed, I recognize that there is a neurological issue that is affecting me, but that external to that life is good.
So, how about you: are you happy?
#1 by Jason Thibeault on August 28, 2009 - 5:36 pm
Life itself is good. Money's a bit of a concern, car and work situation straining me, but I'm happy and healthy, and so are my loved ones. Can't ask for much more than that.
#2 by Bethany on August 28, 2009 - 6:09 pm
Yes, I'm a basically happy and content person (who deals with seasonal depression). I used to complain a lot and made a concentrated effort to stop and to be more appreciative of what I do have. After a while, that became a habit. So now my default mood is happy. Feels good.
#3 by Bethany on August 28, 2009 - 6:11 pm
Oh, I meant to add: my spouse is a basically happy person too, which is very helpful. It's a lot easier to have a sunny outlook if the people close to you see things similarly. Of course, we have 3 kids barreling towards the moodiness of adolescence, so this may all be about to fall apart!
#4 by Stephanie Z on August 29, 2009 - 10:01 pm
I am happy. I'm not content, but I don't think I'd want to be. They're two very different things.
#5 by tall penguin on September 2, 2009 - 2:50 am
Funny, I had to go and look up the distinction between the words happy and content.
"Even when I’m depressed, I recognize that there is a neurological issue that is affecting me, but that external to that life is good."
Ditto. I feel a quiet sense of satisfaction with myself and my life. The brain still does its brain thing but it bothers me less and less. I believe acceptance is the word. And that, for me, is the key to happiness, contentment, joy, whatever you want to call it. It's all good.