Yes. It's so easy to over-analyze -- especially with BP. Though people without BP do it too. It's so easy to not see happiness because we're caught up in obsessing over the past and future. But we're not in either of those places. The concept of mindfulness was a real eye-opener for me. It's not that the present is all fabulousness (lol!). It can be damn excruciating. BUT. That doesn't negate the truth of missing what is good when we're focused elsewhere.

Anymore, I consider happiness to be contentedness. Do I spend a lot of time there? No. But when I catch it, I hug the bejeebers out of it.

Another thing is waiting for the big picture to be all aligned. Everything great all at once? That's not going to happen, really. So we have to look to the little things in the midst of everything else. Mindfulness.-- the hot water in the shower, the snuggliness of a blanket, the relief of sitting after standing too long, cool shapes in the clouds. If we can hone in on the really little things, we probably won't miss the bigger ones.

Camel, something you said caught my attention. That you are always looking somewhere else and that you've become convinced that's where happiness is. Do you realize that in saying that you've pretty well precluded happiness from being where you are? But you've got to remember. It doesn't exist in just one location. Even if it is IS over there, it doesn't mean it can't be here as well.

To your questions: Yes, this is a challenge for me. Yes, I think BP can make it harder (though…. I also think we are more able to embrace the humor of the ridiculous and see things in a different light). And yes, therapy can help. Especially regarding mindfulness. Did I mention mindfulness?