" I actually attack the concept of happiness. The idea that - I don’t mind people being happy - but the idea that everything we do is part of the pursuit of happiness seems to me a really dangerous idea and has led to a contemporary disease in Western society, which is fear of sadness. It’s a really odd thing that we’re now seeing people saying “write down 3 things that made you happy today before you go to sleep”, and “cheer up” and “happiness is our birthright” and so on. We’re kind of teaching our kids that happiness is the default position - it’s rubbish. Wholeness is what we ought to be striving for and part of that is sadness, disappointment, frustration, failure; all of those things which make us who we are. Happiness and victory and fulfillment are nice little things that also happen to us, but they don’t teach us much. Everyone says we grow through pain and then as soon as they experience pain they say “Quick! Move on! Cheer up!” I’d like just for a year to have a moratorium on the word “happiness” and to replace it with the word “wholeness”. Ask yourself “is this contributing to my wholeness?” and if you’re having a bad day, it is."
- Hugh Mackay (via woolfen)
This is a bit deeper than I usually handle here, but I really wanted to share it with you all. It struck a chord for me and maybe someone else out there needs it too.
Amazing.
Here is to celebrating the everyday, the ordinary, the beautiful, the sad, the amazing moments that make up the lives that we each are meant to live.
Have a beautiful weekend!
P.S. This girl has got a way with words!
And this girl nails it on the head!
Comments
Post a Comment