I don't have romantic love in my life right now, unfortunately, nor have I had in some time. I don't have a lot of accomplishments, nor a tremendous number of ambitions beyond some vague if/then ideas. I feel as if there's a fair amount of room for improvement in the happiness levels in my life. But that said, I'm not unhappy. But why not? Why do I, for the most part, feel okay about things?
It's possible part of the answer comes down to genes and chemicals. I've always been generally optimistic (though I've certainly had my bad periods). But beyond that, which I couldn't really explain and which wouldn't be a helpful answer, it's a tough question.
I have a few good friends, and that helps. I have an active imagination, which I use more for dreaming up nice things that make me feel happy than for dreaming up nice things and being bitter that I don't have them. I have video games that I like to play, combined with a completionist bent that gives me lots to do in them. I have plenty of books to read, movies and tv shows to watch. I have the internet, which gives me cool/interesting/exciting things to look at. I have a relativey nice place to live. I have a family that I mostly like. I have an apartment where I can enjoy privacy and solitude when I want it. I have a job that is sometimes long in the tooth but mostly kind of cushy, even if it doesn't pay that much.
I have hopes. That might be a big one. I have hopes that there are certain things I can eventually have, including romantic love, ideally combined with physical intimacy this time. And I know that there will always be new things to entertain me -- new movies, books, tv episodes, video games. There will be new places to explore.
I think that all of these things make life worth living.
The harder question is, if you don't have any of these things, or if they are not enough, then what? Why don't you have them? What could you do to get them? Why are they not enough? What more do you want?
I don't mean you specifically, Roh. That's more of the general you. And they may be rhetorical questions, if they apply at all. I'm sure everyone is different, both in what they have, what they want, and how it all combines to form their level of happiness.
I hope you are well though!
It's possible part of the answer comes down to genes and chemicals. I've always been generally optimistic (though I've certainly had my bad periods). But beyond that, which I couldn't really explain and which wouldn't be a helpful answer, it's a tough question.
I have a few good friends, and that helps. I have an active imagination, which I use more for dreaming up nice things that make me feel happy than for dreaming up nice things and being bitter that I don't have them. I have video games that I like to play, combined with a completionist bent that gives me lots to do in them. I have plenty of books to read, movies and tv shows to watch. I have the internet, which gives me cool/interesting/exciting things to look at. I have a relativey nice place to live. I have a family that I mostly like. I have an apartment where I can enjoy privacy and solitude when I want it. I have a job that is sometimes long in the tooth but mostly kind of cushy, even if it doesn't pay that much.
I have hopes. That might be a big one. I have hopes that there are certain things I can eventually have, including romantic love, ideally combined with physical intimacy this time. And I know that there will always be new things to entertain me -- new movies, books, tv episodes, video games. There will be new places to explore.
I think that all of these things make life worth living.
The harder question is, if you don't have any of these things, or if they are not enough, then what? Why don't you have them? What could you do to get them? Why are they not enough? What more do you want?
I don't mean you specifically, Roh. That's more of the general you. And they may be rhetorical questions, if they apply at all. I'm sure everyone is different, both in what they have, what they want, and how it all combines to form their level of happiness.
I hope you are well though!
Warder to starry_nite
Chapterfish — Nate's Writing Blog
http://chapterfish.wordpress.com
Chapterfish — Nate's Writing Blog
http://chapterfish.wordpress.com
Danae-Log: So. What makes life worth living?
08/05/2010 05:04:26 PM
- 1527 Views
The good bits
08/05/2010 05:17:37 PM
- 1146 Views
Re: There are cannibals out there who believe(d) that if you ate bits of your enemy/someone,
08/05/2010 05:24:16 PM
- 1021 Views
Re: There are cannibals out there who believe(d) that if you ate bits of your enemy/someone,
08/05/2010 05:27:27 PM
- 963 Views
Re: It's because the muscles haven't gotten all developed and stringy yet.
08/05/2010 05:28:44 PM
- 1074 Views
Re: It's because the muscles haven't gotten all developed and stringy yet.
08/05/2010 05:30:42 PM
- 908 Views
Re: I think lots of us had pre-construed that anyway. Sorry.
08/05/2010 05:35:16 PM
- 1025 Views
Try meditation. Just breathing exercises and relaxation.
08/05/2010 05:24:34 PM
- 1094 Views
Re: Um, I meditate. And I manage quote fine without CDs to do it. *NM*
08/05/2010 05:27:28 PM
- 615 Views
I would posit you're not doing a good job if you're considering suicide. *NM*
09/05/2010 04:39:05 AM
- 613 Views
Re: I'm not considering suicide! It says so in my post! I'm so annoyed with people who assume I am!
09/05/2010 05:23:37 AM
- 1087 Views
Why do you need to affirmatively say you're not considering suicide, then?
09/05/2010 05:41:50 AM
- 1098 Views
Re: Because I wanted to make clear my problem, and ask for a little help that wasn't about fixing me
09/05/2010 05:50:27 AM
- 1039 Views
I can only think of one reason
08/05/2010 06:43:11 PM
- 1161 Views
Frankly, I agree, but it's not something of which people can be really be "convinced. "
12/05/2010 12:43:29 AM
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No
12/05/2010 12:53:42 AM
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Oh, I totally agree.
12/05/2010 01:05:29 AM
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Ah, so you used "convinced" as a verb and not as a participle *NM*
12/05/2010 09:30:59 AM
- 595 Views
personally
08/05/2010 06:45:45 PM
- 1020 Views
That's an insanely hard question Danae
08/05/2010 08:53:06 PM
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Re:
08/05/2010 08:58:50 PM
- 1189 Views
Ah, I see
08/05/2010 09:19:22 PM
- 1056 Views
So what makes you think death is any better? *NM*
08/05/2010 09:11:46 PM
- 567 Views
Re: Um, since I am not contemplating suicide, it's not an issue.
08/05/2010 09:16:39 PM
- 1123 Views
No easy answer.
08/05/2010 09:26:52 PM
- 852 Views
Re: Dude, my new pills have cured my insomnia, it is awesome. I'd forgotten about that.
08/05/2010 09:28:54 PM
- 999 Views
I just wanna know what's next, 'cause it tends to be baffling.
08/05/2010 10:18:16 PM
- 1125 Views
Re: Do you believe in reincarnation? You might be able to! *NM*
09/05/2010 05:24:17 AM
- 481 Views
That would be way awesome.
09/05/2010 11:53:40 PM
- 1077 Views
Re: I haven't read it. Or heard of it. Let us know what it's like! *NM*
10/05/2010 08:36:41 AM
- 621 Views
Experience
08/05/2010 10:44:08 PM
- 1120 Views
I'm fairly certain there isn't some magic "thing."
08/05/2010 10:45:34 PM
- 956 Views
Because I can't be world dictator if I am dead
08/05/2010 10:47:37 PM
- 948 Views
Re: I think it's a RAFOnaut thing, to want to be world dictator.
09/05/2010 05:28:01 AM
- 1053 Views
Helping other people. *NM*
08/05/2010 10:51:28 PM
- 482 Views
Can't help you there.
08/05/2010 11:22:01 PM
- 993 Views
Some days it just boils down to duty.
09/05/2010 12:52:06 AM
- 1119 Views
Re: The no expectations thing is HARD. To do on a moment-to-moment basis.
09/05/2010 05:43:00 AM
- 1078 Views
I was in a slightly bleak mood when I wrote the first reply. I need to amend it.
13/05/2010 12:59:09 AM
- 1156 Views
That there will be a sixth season of Supernatural?
09/05/2010 06:30:34 AM
- 1079 Views
Re: I actually haven't watched anything since xxx released ddd and told aaa he'd say ssss.
09/05/2010 10:28:03 AM
- 886 Views
love, connection with others, the awe of being alive in the world
09/05/2010 07:17:34 AM
- 880 Views
Whatever you decide it does
09/05/2010 10:17:09 AM
- 1001 Views
Yep, it's one of those clips that makes you think mankind isn't that bad after all *NM*
11/05/2010 09:20:38 AM
- 571 Views
The small things.
09/05/2010 10:45:46 AM
- 1101 Views
Re: Dammit, Rebekah, now I have a song playing in my head.
09/05/2010 11:06:46 AM
- 850 Views
Carnal bliss, hydrocodone and brownies
09/05/2010 10:47:24 AM
- 1135 Views
Hmm. I'm trying to seriously consider your question.
10/05/2010 02:21:32 AM
- 1008 Views
I stick around for updates to the Danae-Log!
10/05/2010 12:14:43 PM
- 1104 Views
Re: Dude.
10/05/2010 04:44:24 PM
- 911 Views
Heh. click the link.
10/05/2010 05:45:53 PM
- 1057 Views