Comment by Fred Edwords on March 26, 2011 at 10:45am

No, Samantha, nobody is ever "truly happy" (whatever that is). Drunken bliss 24/7 just ain't gonna happen.

Why then do we soldier on? How has humanity, after centuries upon centuries of a life that is "nasty, brutish, and short" managed to persist? Because we're built for struggle. We evolved to be survivors.

And therein is where we find our fulfillment. We love that struggle! How do I know? Because when I'm not struggling to get by I engage in recreation that involves struggle. Sports is fun struggle. A movie or a novel is vicarious struggle. "Finding meaning in life" is simply discovering a struggle you enjoy. Even learning new things qualifies.

So, ya wanna be happier? Make more of a game of the life you're stuck with. Fight for a better America, for example. Win or lose you're gonna have a helluva time! And also look for opportunities to get unstuck, in smaller or larger ways, so you can devote more time to the conquests that give you more of a kick.

Comment by Susan Stanko on March 26, 2011 at 11:40am

As for whose ideas it was to add under god to the pledge and change our national motto.  I suggest you learn history.  specifically the 50's  when anti-communism was rampant.

Comment by Sharon Stanley on March 26, 2011 at 12:26pm

Oh Samantha, I really relate to your situation and I appreciate your emotional expression of your frustration.  I often feel that way, expletives included! 

But wow, Fred, I love your response; '"Finding meaning in life" is simply discovering a struggle you enjoy." 

Comment by Joan Denoo on March 26, 2011 at 2:29pm

The way I interpret life is that some people have no health or relationship, or wealth problems but they look, act, and sound miserable. So these factors aren't the requirement for happiness

Some people have poor health, bad relationships, and bad financial situations and look, act and sound happy. So these are not the factors for happiness.

If these two assumptions are correct, then happiness or lack of it resides elsewhere. Where? I don't know. Well, I don't know for sure. Attitude seems to be the difference. If one can get up in the morning, happy to be alive, take on the responsibilities of life with peace if not joy, and feel he/she has meaning in life, then that is the best one can hope for. I don't mean this in a Pollyanna way, but in a realistic way. One can choose to awaken with anger, fear, pain, resentment, jealously, and that kind of stuff, or one can choose joy, power, pain management, understanding, and compassion. It is a choice.

My very dear friend is a quadriplegic with MS. She is the light of my life. She radiates joy. She never brings me down with complaints. We now have to feed her, her husband takes full care of her and never seems burdened, except for a bad spell a couple of years ago. And it isn't that they, or people such as they, are in denial. It is more like they are in reality.

So! Life Sucks! That is the reality. Now what?

Comment by Samantha Madison on March 26, 2011 at 2:53pm

@ Everyone lol thanks for the feedback I was more so just venting and I have come to realize that it doesnt help to be positive-im more happy when I can talk about how bad life sucks and have people agree with me and tell me how bad their lives suck-lmao I guess thats just the gothic side of me. Happiness is a temporary ignorance-sadness, misery and pain is what controls our lives and makes us stronger. I prefer to live in darkness, I found it helps to reduce stress. and @susan history isnt really my thing-its in the past so I dont give a shit, but I hate anything to do with god and I dont like being part of a country that just fucking assumes all of its citizens loves GOD and jebus crust. So like I said Fuck America!!

Comment by Susan Stanko on March 26, 2011 at 3:16pm

If you are not willing to learn why things are the way they are then all you have are uniformed opinions that nobody should bother to listen to.

Comment by Samantha Madison on March 26, 2011 at 3:44pm

Lmfao are u serious I cant listen to you because your from Wisconsin

Comment by Joan Denoo on March 26, 2011 at 5:15pm

Samantha, go for whatever works.

Comment by Susan Stanko on March 26, 2011 at 5:23pm

How are those remotely the same?  Now not only are you not interested in educating yourself about the very issues you claim to care about, you don't know logic either.

Comment by David M. Beadle on April 8, 2011 at 11:48am

Re: Tim.

 

Oops. Looks like we lost one.

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