Happiness sucks.
What a strange statement for a blog about pursuing your dreams, happiness, productivity, and overall enjoyment of life. I’m not talking about the state of happiness as the goal, but rather the happiness we surround ourselves with that is “good enough.”
When we settle for a level of happiness that is far below what we expect or deserve, we lose sight of our potential and our dreams. So why does happiness suck?
Complacency
Why it sucks
You’re happy, satisfied, and don’t have any battles to fight. So, you become lazy, stagnant, and don’t reach for your dreams with all of your heart.
What you can do about it
Don’t lose sight of your dream. Make sure you make goals that will move you forward while keeping your life happy. Of course you shouldn’t let go of the things that make you happy, but don’t get short sighted. Bring the happiness with you and include it in your life with your dreams.
Lack of drive
Why it sucks
You don’t need to try to be happy or motivate yourself to improve your life.
What you can do about it
When you are unhappy you strive to be happy. To do this you achieve and work toward your goals. Get your drive in gear by remembering that you can be and will be happier on your way to your dream and once you achieve it.
Fear of Success
Why it sucks
You fear that if you leave your happiness to achieve a happier future, you will lose all happiness. You become attached to the current happiness and lose sight of the possibilities.
What you can do about it
Don’t worry about losing your current happiness. It will always be there for you. Don’t burn any bridges and things will go smoothly as you transition from your state of mediocre happiness to great happiness.
“Necessity is the mother of invention”
Why it sucks
If you don’t need anything, you don’t create anything.
What you can do about it
Assume you don’t have that happiness. Look for the insight that will lead you to create and utilize your dream. Then, use that happiness to drive the positivity of your creation.
Distraction
Why it sucks
Happiness is distracting. It can take your attention away from the bigger picture and the greater happiness awaiting you.
What you can do about it
Remember there is more happiness out there for you. Don’t settle. Think about the happiness you have now and add it to the happiness you will have.
It can strip you of your greatness
Why it sucks
Heroes aren’t created from a perfect world. Instead, they overcome difficulty and menace.
What you can do about it
Don’t let happiness make you forget about your potential greatness or happiness. Use your happiness to instill confidence in yourself and use it to achieve success.
Life is boring
Why it sucks
The bad times make the good times even better. If you were happy your whole life you would never experience the joy of winning or finally getting what you want.
What you can do about it
Gauge the happiness you have now against the times when you weren’t so happy. There are times when it has been worse, and there are times that it has been better. Those better times are what you want to strive for.
Loss of happiness can be devastating
Why it sucks
When your source of happiness no longer makes you happy, such as a relationship going sour, it can rip you apart.
What you can do about it
Try not to put all your eggs in one basket. Make sure you’re happy about many things, especially the future and your success. There are an infinite number of things that can and will make you happy. Go find them.
-Ravi Vora
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Happiness does not exist! Everytime we think we got happiness..at the same time we already lost that feeling of happiness..and we restart searching it! It is a life bluff.
Hey Ravi!
I just realized that although I really enjoy reading your posts, for example this one, I don’t usually comment on them.
So I decided that now I just need to stand up and say that you’re doing a great job in making us think about what’s important in life and how we can make our lives more interesting and find happiness.
Thanks and keep it up!
I like the point, but I must disagree. :0)
I find that when I am happy I look forward to doing more. Maybe it’s just my personality, but once I get to one goal (or happiness objective,) I want to do more and more. My happiness and goals continue to grow.
Thanks for the interesting insight into the downside of happiness. (Who knew there was one?)
I think you don’t really understand the nature of “happiness” - it is just an emotion or feeling- not a state of mind (there is a difference) You can change your state of mind by simply choosing another one. Happiness does not come from external factors as you suggest but from within yourself and how you perceive events. If you are super-sensitive, or high-strung you will react emotionally first to a “bad” event. Then, if you are sufficiently mentally mature, developed, rational, stable etc. you will calm down and assess the situation and then choose to be “happy” or “unhappy” about it. This is always your choice.If you always allow external events to get you down or affect you, try just “switching off” to them - this is what your mind can do for you - change your activity, go for a walk, just simply move to another room. This “movement” will help to shift your mood - your “e - motion” becomes “motion” - ie. you have done something about it. it is not WHAT happens to you in life but HOW you deal with it or view it.
Accidents can happen to everyone - it is just an attitiude that you take towards what happens. You can decide it SUCKS or you can decide, that’s ok - life is both good and bad - take the rough with the smooth and realise that not everything is under your control (the weather for instance!) Everything works in balance. If you are sad, just know that it will pass, like everything else. Life is all about change. Just accept the bad with the good. Remember that feelings aren’t the only truth - your emotions are only part of you - you also have a mind which can decide, a body and a spiritual/soulful (whatever your preferred religion)
Hope that helps.