Happy

[Barzel]

I was thinking today about happiness. So often, I see people with bipolar disorder make happiness the aim of their therapy. I can relate, since--at one point--I wanted to be happy as well. As I've gone deeper down this rabbit hole of bipolar disorder, however, I have come to realize happiness is an unrealistic goal.

"Happiness" is defined as "the state of being happy."

"State" is defined as "the particular condition that someone or something is in at a specific time."

"Happy" is defined as "feeling or showing pleasure or contentment."

In other words, happiness can be an expression of our contentment, but is a temporary condition, subject to change. We may want to be happy all the time, but if we look at the issue objectively, we realize we will have moments of grief, strife, anger, discomfort, and so on.

The aim, then--in my opinion--should be to have balance. Evil must exist for good to exist. Sadness is what gives happiness its context. Anger gives definition to calm. Balance is a theme in many Eastern religions, notably in the yin-yang symbol of Daoist philosophy. It is also present in Christianity:

1 Corinthians 6:12
All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

We should strive toward normalcy, with the understanding that we will make mistakes. We will have bad days. Grief and strife are a part of life, but we can rejoice that--no matter what--God is there for us, and His grace is sufficient (2 Cor. 12:7-10). Balance is a far more abundant life than striving for happiness, because a constant state of happiness is an impossibility, whereas balance can be attained.

There are some who might point to celebrities, preachers, and others who always seem to be happy. I am always suspect of such people. It's great they don't want to drag others down with any negativity, but their demeanor is also inauthentic, and they give the impression that the impossible is possible.

You can have peace, joy, contentment, and yes, even happiness, but to live authentically, we must acknowledge chaos, despair, restlessness, and sadness, for these are the things which make our pleasure all the sweeter. Don't go chasing after pills to make you happy, numb you out, and give you an illusion of peace. By all means, take your prescriptions, but don't trust them to give you what you cannot find authentically.

 

[quietpraiyze]

It took me about 10 years to really finally accept that I was truly manic depressive. Now known as bipolar. In those 10 years I had the kind of losses that some people can't even begin to comprehend. I sought God for healing. I did everything I could do but I wasn't healed. To many people I look like a failure but I took my stand with 3 Hebrew young men who were thrown in a fiery furnace. If God doesn't heal me, I know he's able but I'm not bowing.

It's been a long journey of acceptance, education, and restoration. I don't despise medication anymore. I take my meds now with understanding and it's okay. The Holy Spirit changed my desire from seeking God for healing to pursuing Him just for who he is and that changed my life again. That doesn't mean I don't want to be healed but I understand now that my life begins with Christ and it ends with Christ. I understand the brokenness now. Also The contentment I have in my spirit is something I can't even describe. I feel so full...so blessed.

So yes I have good day where I physically feel like I've been kissed by God. Then I have days that emotionally feel like I'm in a dark hole and the whole world is crapping on me. It's in those times I go back to the beginning and read, IN THE BEGINNING GOD. That's where I camp out right there, plant myself, and I stay there until I come back into balance.

I never got the memo that I was supposed to be happy but I did read in the Word that suffering was a part of this journey. I also read that godliness with contentment is great gain. I'm glad I read the Word.

Although I did like the song Happy when I first heard it, but now it's everywhere. I'm like well they really know how to ruin a fun thing but that's all it was - a fun song.

 

[Loven God]

I think you can have happiness with bipolar it depends on where you are at in your bipolar . I Don't find happiness when in depression but with mania or stable times I do have happiness . I thank God every day that I still can have happiness .

 

[Barzel]

That's my point. The whole point of what I wrote is to say that happiness is temporary, and so it should not be the "final goal" of our treatment for bipolar disorder. We should strive for balance instead.

 

[redblue22]

comparison and balance?

you've lost me.

 

[Barzel]

comparison and balance?

you've lost me.

What do you mean, "comparison and balance?"

Apparently you've lost me as well.

 

[redblue22]

The aim, then--in my opinion--should be to have balance. Evil must exist for good to exist. Sadness is what gives happiness its context. Anger gives definition to calm. Balance is a theme in many Eastern religions, notably in the yin-yang symbol of Daoist philosophy. It is also present in Christianity:

a constant state of happiness is an impossibility, whereas balance can be attained.

That's my point. The whole point of what I wrote is to say that happiness is temporary, and so it should not be the "final goal" of our treatment for bipolar disorder. We should strive for balance instead.

your words.

 

[Barzel]

The aim, then--in my opinion--should be to have balance. Evil must exist for good to exist. Sadness is what gives happiness its context. Anger gives definition to calm. Balance is a theme in many Eastern religions, notably in the yin-yang symbol of Daoist philosophy. It is also present in Christianity:

a constant state of happiness is an impossibility, whereas balance can be attained.



your words.

You've still lost me. All I was saying is that we should strive for balance in our lives, rather than a perpetual state of happiness.

 

[CraftyTurtle]

There is a saying that happiness is not a destination, but a means of travel.

It should not be our goal to be happy - after all, one achieved, then what?
Our daily lives should be about living the life God has given us. God wants us to be happy - to be contented in His glory. He gives us challenges, but together with God, we can handle them.

I have found if I stop focusing on the end goal of achieving happiness, and focus more on the little day-to-day things, such as kindness, honesty, compassion, fortitude, etc, then I end up being happy.

Yes I agree we need the "bad" with the good. We need reasons to learn, to overcome trials, and to improve not just our our own lives, but others' lives aswell.