February 7, 2010
What Would You Think Of Someone That Focuses Only On What Makes Them Happy?
Would you consider it a good virtue if someone only focused on what made them happy, and blocked out everything that didn’t? For example, if something made them any emotion except happy, they would just completely ignore it. They only focus on what they want, and none of what they don’t. Don’t you need to at least feel those other emotions to be able to distinguish happiness?
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Comments on What Would You Think Of Someone That Focuses Only On What Makes Them Happy?
You can’t truly feel all the happiness you can if you never allow yourself to experience the lowest lows. You can’t appreciate it either.
If they feel the need to block it out I’m sure they do understand the alternative. It’s perhaps impossible to always block out any negative feelings, and only focusing on happiness could be built around some sort of belief system. At certain times in my life I’ve felt this way but it was typically because I was attempting to recover from serious pain and the underlying emotions were not always pleasant, but rather covered up by always blocking myself from experiencing it which can be a struggle in itself.
I personally believe that the full spectrum of emotions does give rise to a better experience than to block out everything negative. When we feel negative emotions we can better appreciate the times when we do not, and we can better understand what may need changed or improved on in order to feel satisfied in certain areas of life. Sometimes to suffer, to strive, and to cross the bumps in life brings a greater sense of satisfaction and strength. I choose not to always dwell on the darker side of emotions in life, but I do not ignore it either. Nothing would get done if everyone was in a constant state of bliss and happiness, we do not live in a world where this is possible. To only focus on our own emotions is a self-centered focus. I consider it a greater virtue to understand that observing our negative feelings can be just as beneficial, and our natural state is not centered around a constant state of happiness. Emotions are like a pendulum to me, they must fall and rise to the intensity we are prepared to experience and it must go in both directions. For me I find that observing my pain and sadness can lead me to a better experience, and I can be content in the temporary lapse away from the feelings that are more enjoyable.
I live by this view, personally. Without pain, pleasure would have no merit. There is beauty in every storm.