Maybe we should just realise that life is inherently lined with struggle and despair and obstacle. At least with this philosophy we won't face disappointment or contradiction when we are faced with unpleasantness, anxiety, hurt, etc.

Instead of reaching for bright, cheery aphorisms, then, what about reading up on quotes from bleak, anti-socialist, depressing philosophers?

Maybe that will, ironic as it is, cheer us up.

Thoughts, y'all.

[venusss]

THere's buddhism and existentialism.

It works.

If you're talking about feeling content then i would suggest that this feeling is fleeting - i don't think we'd appreciate being content all of the time. Its just not in human nature. And even if we do realise that life is 'lined with struggle and despair and obstacle' it doesn't mean we won't face any less dissapointment or contradiction. I think its more how we deal with the feelings...

[JayneDough!]

VenusHalley is absolutly right. That is a very buddhist line of thought. If you are interest in a meloncholy life I would suggest the music of Siomen and Garfunkel. Its great stuff and dosen't reach for unattainable happiness, just seeks for contentment.

[costello]

Originally Posted by VenusHalley

THere's buddhism and existentialism.

It works.

My thought exactly! You sound like a Buddhist, IT.

[brackenbeard]

object is not to be happy in my opinion. it's to feel alive!

[Hellion]

I gave up on being 'happy' quite some time ago, I would just like to be in less pain than I am and not have worsening ptsd symptoms...if even that.

Chasing some ideal that our own minds have conjured up as 'normal' is what buggers us. I think it's too easy to visualize what we don't have. It's easy to notice what is missing in our lives...and just as easy to idealize that which we believe unattainable. Then of course we tend to kick ourselves for the inability to have what everyone else most surely has. Boatloads of normality and happiness.