If we are not happy, we are normal. Life is sometimes difficult; it would be uncanny if we always felt happy. Meaning and purpose come with a range of feelings; agreeable and hurtful. For example, consider a close friendship. When clicking on all cylinders we experience a tremendous amount of bliss. At some point, our friendship will take a hit due to a hurtful comment.
We pursue happiness at the expense of our inner world. Research shows that the harder we chase after pleasurable feelings and try to avoid uncomfortable ones, the more likely we are to suffer from depression and anxiety. “The Happiness Trap” by Russ Harries
In my 30s and 40s, I ignored the sadness and anxiety I was feeling. I was scared if I focused on them I would lose emotional control. How did I cope? Achievements at work, including receiving a couple of promotions, exercising making me feel better, spending time alone rather than socializing with others, and food.
Through the power of Recovery, I now know I have pleasurable feelings and I will also have many hard ones, like sadness, anxiety, anger, and guilt. If I live a full human life I will feel the full range of human emotions. Accepting this decreases the impact depression, anxiety, and trauma have on me.
Peace
Larry
email: ljw@superhumanbeing.net
website: https://superhumanbeing.net/