I don't think you can be happy everyday. I do, however, think you can be content everyday. Happy all the time is living on constant high...I'm eventually going to try to prove some homeostasis theory that I will one day fully develop, but for the sake of argument, I'm going to say that everything in nature strives for balance, or homeostasis.
When you're constantly up, or like the proverbs say...what goes up, must come down, so that your emotions are counterbalanced between the high and the low. Almost like everyone is manic to some degree. People that want to be happy all the time should strive for contentment. They will never have failure, or sadness, and likely will be indifferent to most everything...often staying very detached. This is essentialyl what zen buddhism strives for and teaches. However, with this lack of all the bad, they lack all the great things that can happen that really makes people happy. For a biblical allusion, these people bury there money in the ground. I don't feel this is a better or worse way to live....I've heavily considered living both styles, and found this to work worse for my personality. If you're an idealist, this will not do much for you.
Now, on the flip side. Most of us have our highs and lows. I feel this is not as healthy as the other side of the coin, mentally, or emotionally...but I prefer it. I like the great things that can happen, and don't mind too often dealing with the bad shit that results from the counter-balancing. Manic Depressants, I feel, are those who have lost control of the wave of emotions that results from the homeostatic change, and have, unfortunately, internalized it and allowed themselves to be entirely overwhelmed by it.
Whatever the case, these are my views and I rather be happy than content any day. I think, however, that as people age, they often see that contentment is superior and more durable, and often adapt to that lifestyle, rather than the the happy/sad lifestyle. Cory
Last edited by SigmaChiCard; 10-23-2001 at 01:38 PM.
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