The Monday Poll - Happiness

[pjthompson]

[Poll #1209586]

*Thanks to Donovan, Wikipedia, Albert Camus, Margaret Bonnano, Mark Twain, Susan B. Anthony, and Willa Cather.

Comments

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

I think happiness is acheivable on a regular basis if we dwell on the blessings in our lives and pause frequently to admire the beauty that surrounds us in its sundry forms and sizes, from miniscule to gargantuan.

For me happiness is an attitude I can conjure a good 95% of the time. I'm not the Supreme Dictator of the Multiverse(s), and I do suffer from hormones, so that pesky last 5% is still beyond me.

[pjthompson]

Hormones, yes, and bad body chemistry in general. A ticky thyroid makes the happiness attitude quotient sometimes more tricky to attain. The ticky tricky syndrome. :-)

But, yes, attitude and the decision not to go into the dark place makes a huge difference.

[purdypiedad.livejournal.com]

Amen to the ticky thyroid!

[pjthompson]

Dudes, you too?

[purdypiedad.livejournal.com]

And I'm uninsured. Which means I fall asleep during work daily no matter how much sleep I get, and the moment the weather drops below 80, my lips turn blue and I shake violently. And I have so little hair left it's scary, and the dry skin, and the congestion, and the... GAH! Ultimately, the depression is kicking my butt.

[pjthompson]

Can't you at least get a blood test and some meds? I know the blood test can be kick-ass expensive, but you can't live your life like that, hons. I'm so sorry to hear this!

I went through a horrible siege when I was undiagnosed and later when the meds got messed up by an incompetent doctor, so I know how bad this can be.

[purdypiedad.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately, we are struggling to keep food on the table right now, so paying for the blood work just isn't even an option.

I got in touch with my aunt recently, who is an RN, and she gave me the name of a doctor who caters to the impoverished. I'll be calling him tomorrow. Because you are right. I can't keep going like this.

[pjthompson]

You absolutely can't. If you get too sick, you won't be able to take care of yourself, let alone your baby.

[purdypiedad.livejournal.com]

I'm working hard to try to come with something. I'm already entirely too close to debilitated.

[pjthompson]

I'm glad to hear you're working on it. Good luck!

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

*nods* We can't win like that everytime, but I think we can tip the odds more heavily in the direction of that new difference. I get so pissed at myself when I *know* a funk is hormone-related and I just can't kick it.

[pjthompson]

Actually, I think that when our hormones are acting up, sometimes it's best just to let the funk have it's way with you. You can learn a lot about yourself in those times, and generally the mood will lift when the hormones shift. I'm not suggesting using them as an excuse to act up, but as a method of facing things we usually try to avoid facing when we're less moody. I've always found it's a great way of finding out what's festering in the substrata and then having the opportunity to address the problem(s) before they sneak up on you later and get out of hand.

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

I'm not suggesting using them as an excuse to act up, but as a method of facing things we usually try to avoid facing when we're less moody.

That's a good idea, and it's something I tried out when the last funk hit me. I thought one thing was bothering me, but when I forced myself to really pin down what the cause was, I realized that the trigger fear went even deeper and was more personal than I thought. As you said, during "normal" times, we're less likely to keep poking because we don't want to stir the sewage. :P If it's already swirling and bubbling and stinky, eh, why not...

[pjthompson]

A therapist friend of mine suggested using those bad times for positives and I've "used" it on and off ever since. Lots of important insights have come from that.

[krsj.livejournal.com]

While not a great set of imagery for everyone, many hunters say that the joy of hunting exists and builds until the moment BEFORE the gun is fired.

I think the search for happiness is the same way. Ambition, challenges met in pursuit of goals. Actual attainment of anything is usually a bit anti-climatic.

As far as positive states of mind or balancing of energy and so on are concerned, I believe it is all tantamount to pouring oneself a stiff drink. It is a form of self-medication, a mild anesthetic, which is different than happiness.

But that's just my opinion, and I'm OFTEN wrong. At least a few times per day, in fact. :-)

[pjthompson]

I would agree that the striving for a goal is often more happymaking than getting there. And the power of positive thinking? I think there are too many variables for it to be a long-lasting thing for a large number of people: body chemistry, DNA, shitty things happening, etc., have as much to say about things as mental attitude.

[frigg.livejournal.com]

Okay, you know I had to ticky the Denmark one. :p

But I do think part of the answer lies in the different values different cultures have - and the set up of society.

[pjthompson]

Yes, agreed, and Denmark seems to have structured itself well for contentment. :-)