I've recently came to dread the concept of happiness and the idea that our life goals must be to sustain contentment. People consistently tell me I look unhappy and that I ought to be happy. It's annoying, honestly. Human emotion isn't restricted by a spectrum or some line of emotion; it isn't limited to this false dichotomy of happiness and unhappiness, firstly. It's dimensional - it's complex - it's nuanced - it's beautiful. Secondly, why? Why must I always be happy? Why must it be my life goal? I have a damn good reason to be unhappy. I can find beauty and a sense of contentment in the Cosmos' perplexity, my vivid existence, and oneness, along with my assortment of values, however, that doesn't change the state of affairs. I can't justify deluding myself to a mindset of unconditional happiness when so much stupidity, injustice and adversity live among us. I rather be unhappy and aware than happy and a fool. Reality may be beautiful, but it is dark, and it is ominous - I can't find room for this notion that we must be happy. I can't and don't want to be happy when it isn't warranted. We would be nowhere if all we did was try to be consistently happy.
I also have came to dread the notion that materialism is incapable of yielding some sort of authentic happiness, that it's feigned, manufactured and temporary. Indeed, it is manufactured, however, to say that the sensation of contentment you got getting your first phone and computer or receiving your paycheck is utterly fraudulent is stupid; it sure felt real to me, and it indeed can be temporary, however so can love. Real happiness comes from determining your values, whether it be materialism or relinquishing your worldly possessions. However, how they tie to everyone's well-being and what is important, is something else.
I also have came to dread the notion that materialism is incapable of yielding some sort of authentic happiness, that it's feigned, manufactured and temporary. Indeed, it is manufactured, however, to say that the sensation of contentment you got getting your first phone and computer or receiving your paycheck is utterly fraudulent is stupid; it sure felt real to me, and it indeed can be temporary, however so can love. Real happiness comes from determining your values, whether it be materialism or relinquishing your worldly possessions. However, how they tie to everyone's well-being and what is important, is something else.