Comments on: Why Happiness is Such a Struggle

By: Haley

Haley — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 03:47:27 +0000

Hi David,
I’ve read a lot of your posts at this point, and I’ve probably come across this post before, but I found it again while I was searching your blog for a perspective-changer to make January seem a little less oppressive. I noticed something new this time: you talk about how humans have only scratched the surface of our new found power to love…have you written a post about that yet? If so, which post? And if not, I’d love to hear your thoughts.

By: OliOli

OliOli — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 23:23:45 +0000

I love the comment about not being happy sitting in an empty room. (It’s too late in the day to find the quote). That is a great point, because although some people might see it as a great personality trait to be happy with anything (I don’t, necessarily), it wouldn’t make evolutionary sense. The will to strive for more, but in relation to that, to interact with people is important for our survival so it’s a natural impulse for that reason as well as the more basic human urges!! Another good article, thanks!

By: josh

josh — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 05:16:57 +0000

Hello there, i hit my stumble button and it took me here. I usually read a sentence and move on when i hit these types of blogs. anyways this week has been crazy and i was feeling pretty stressed out. bills, a business, family, life in general was just hard this week and after reading all the way to the last line i felt calmer… happier. I have sat here for a moment now and analyzed why i feel calmer. (especially after seeing so many others say the same thing) I believe the reason for the calming effect is because we (most of us) are at that point in evolution where we know that love and calmness are more benificial to us as a species and your words help others to remember that. Once we think about it and know that it is true to ourselves Tada! you feel in control. that control = happiness. thats just me. Thanks.

By: Gabriel

Gabriel — Sat, 11 Jun 2011 22:36:49 +0000

I stumbled to your “Six Amazing Songs That Illustrate What it Means to Be Human” post. I was skimming through reading the and listening and when I came across Lives by Modest Mouse I stopped dead in my tracks (MM has been for a long time my favorite band and I particularly have always loved the beginning lyrics to the song Lives so your post stole my attention instantly) I saw the link to this page there and hopped over to read. This post and that post are profound to say the least. I wished to compliment you, for you have a unique way of observing and explaining things. (Honestly after reading those posts I assumed you were either a major in Sociology Psychology or both.) I also wanted to say that this post has made me exceedingly hopeful, often times I’ve pondered about why happiness is so hard to achieve I always thought it was something within us but I never figured out a reason why. I also coulnd’t think of anyways to combat it. So thanks, I’m going to end this comment now, its become far too long.

By: Why Happiness is Such a Struggle | Raptitude.com | Son of Cosmos

Why Happiness is Such a Struggle | Raptitude.com | Son of Cosmos — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 14:45:51 +0000

[...] article was published by David @ Raptitude.com] Filed under Sociology Click here to cancel [...]

By: Kent

Kent — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 12:04:25 +0000

This explains why I’m much happier when I’m actively learning something new. I’ve lost jobs because there was nothing new to learn and I got bored and depressed. I used my last break from university classes to teach myself to juggle. It all makes sense now.

By: Steve

Steve — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 22:04:52 +0000

What I find most troubling is how western culture has an outlook of the world as total work; of work-for-work's sake. We need to foster an atmosphere is society that allows for more than just material progress. We need a degree of the classical world view which viewed both useful work and philosophical work as vitally important to the full development of man. In short, more people need to read things like Josef Pieper's Leisure: The Basis of Culture.

By: David

David — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 21:35:28 +0000

Hi Casper. This is the first piece I ever wrote and I have my misgivings about it. But the truth of the concept is self-evident to me.

The only evidence I have is the first-hand kind, which can only ever be personal experience. Many people reject everything but second-hand, corroborable empirical evidence from people in labcoats. I used to reject everything for which there was no citeable study. Maybe there is, one in this case, I’m not sure. I tend to go by direct experience now, at least as much as conclusions from scientists funded by people whose motives I don’t know. I’m not anti-science, I just think there is also value in interpreting first-hand experience alone.

I don’t know about you, but I feel a distinct, pervasive sense of “this is now quite okay,” and I have had to learn to accept that as a part of mother nature’s toolkit and sometimes act in spite of it.
David´s last [type] ..How to Make Trillions of Dollars

By: Casper Roseewater

Casper Roseewater — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 20:16:34 +0000

Re: Why Happiness is Such a Struggle?

I don’t dispute what you write; it kind of makes sense and I’d like to refer others to it to augment understanding. I was just wondering if you know of any evidence that might indicate this might is true. It would seem to fall into the school of Sociobiology which is somewhat controversial.

By: Passing Guest

Passing Guest — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 08:03:21 +0000

Since it looks like that was never answered, may I jump in?

“Stardance” is a wonderful sci-fi trilogy by Spider and Jeanne Robinson. The third book, “Starmind”, mentions a “rapturist” movement–it’s the opposite of terrorism. :)

Actually, I was searching for mentions of the idea when I found your site! :)