As I found myself strolling around Downtown Disney today I was well aware that I was perfectly content. A smile was on my face, and every other person I met had the same expression. These people were happy, and it made me happy. In effect, I was doing the same for them. Granted this was the gateway to the "Happiest Place on Earth," but all this positive energy had got me wondering...
Why are we not optimistic? As ridiculous as the question posed sounds, there is truth behind it. I am a strong believer, in action and in thought, that a smile and a nod can cure any person's doubts. If you knew me, or perhaps you have seen me around campus, you were quick to notice that a happy demeanor always adorns my face. I will tell you now: My life is not perfect. Nor is yours. But there is hope: It can be. Smile. Laugh. Live out loud. Positive people are successful. Not only in mind but also in performance, in other words, in everything they do. It is scientifically proven. That last line was for all you realists out there.
One-sided as this is, I wanted your opinion. Why not be happy? To be enthusiastic is to act enthusiastic. I have not a sense in the world, but why do people tend not to smile? To exclaim joy even if they do not feel it? Are we, in a sense, so selfish as to impose sadness and rude behavior on everyone else? Thank you, just a thought for the soul.
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Poirier, I see your point and yes "I think therefore I am" works most of the time. But I have to admit, when I am walking around school or walking to some place I am not going to force a smile on my face when I don't feel like smiling. It's much more comfortable to do what I want, like relax my face, rather than to fake a smile; which goes with saying, just because I don't smile at you doesn't mean I dislike you or that I am in a bad mood. I often tend not to smile unless something makes me smile or I like smiling at my thoughts or surroundings. I am not going to smile for anyone just so they can think about me a certain way, if I don't want to smile...I won't. In a way I can't agree with your post but in another way I see your optimistic view.
ReplyDeleteI agree that being positive is good. Being happy is always a nice thing, too. Laugh, smile, and live. Doesn't sound too shabby at all. There is one thing that bothers me though. You sound as if we should always be happy. I would like to throw a question mark towards you, Poirier. Are you suggesting we be happy all the time, or some of the time?
ReplyDeleteIf you're suggesting that we be happy a good portion of the time, then that sounds fine to me. It's hard, but possible, and doesn't sound too bad, either. Now, if you wanted us to go around smiling all the time, then I have a couple things to say about that. Some times people do not feel like smiling, or the need or reason to smile is nonexistent. Many people just don't feel like smiling if they're depressed or in pain, unless it is fake one. As of now I can only agree with half of your post, at least until you respond to my question, which could change that.
I agree with Jimmy. You can't ALWAYS be happy... even if you try. Well, I guess you COULD, but it would be very challenging. Also, some things call for being happy, other things call for other emotions.
ReplyDeleteExample: Going to the Disneyland Resort every other Sunday puts a smile on my face. Watching fireworks, "World of Color", and riding rides calls for joy (as in your example). On the other hand, when I see a commercial for homeless dogs while simultaneously hearing the song "In the Eyes of an Angel" on T.V., I become saddened.
The point is, it is good to be happy... but not always. In Huxley's world, the people see otherwise. They have soma to make their lives 'happy', and take 'soma vacations'. I don't think this is good, but that's just my opinion.
Upton, thank you. I see what you mean. In a way, I do not notice I am smiling until I actually look back at it. My smile is not fake, even if I am genuinely not happy, I want other people to be happy, so I smile. I find if I stay in that optimism, the effects of either the anger or sadness soon wash away.
ReplyDeleteDuong, I answer by saying this: We should be enthusiastic all the time. Happy: no. Enthusiastic thoughts should always fill our mind, plaguing us until we succumb. We should feel all emotions, but why not do that behind a smiling face? It, in my opinion, would be selfish not too. Imposing your free will on others, especially if it is negative, can only bring negative results.
Granted, smiling will not help those starving. Enthusiasm and confidence, however, heightens the effect of feeling as if you can help. It is better than grieving for them.
Thompson, I know what you mean. What I feel and I believe is that the happiness I had at Disneyland, I can spread it to the world, too. When I see the commercial for homeless animals, I become enthusiastic and not saddened. It gives me the confidence to go help those animals, with, of course, service and a smile.
Just like you Warren, I always try to be cheerful and optimistic. Showing warmth toward others and making others smile has always been a goal in my life. Whenever I am feeling down or am in a tough situation, I try my best to think of all the positive things in life and move forward.
ReplyDeleteOf course, life will not always give us a reason to smile. If you take a mere glimpse at the world, one can see that it is filled with anger, loneliness, depression, hunger, violence, and death; however, there is still the precious gift of hope. Even with hope in the world, why do people not show signs of happiness, joy, or laughter? The cause of this negativity is due to the factors mentioned above and many others. With all this negativity in the world, there are many people that are deprived of happiness and joy in life. It is with the blessing of people like you Warren, who enter their lives. I am not praising you as the next Gandhi or Saint Therese, but I commemorate you on your effort of spreading joy and smiles to others. :)
Can someone tie this discussion thread to the summer homework, please? I want to give good grades for this kind of effort, but if I don't see anyone making the connections, it falls in the "thank you for sharing" category instead of the "analysis of summer work" category.
ReplyDeleteMrs. Fletcher:
ReplyDeleteI'm not positive, but I think it is relevant to the homework because in Huxley's world, people take soma to be happy. I mentioned that in my previous comment. I could be wrong, though. Huxley's characters are always happy... well, at least they try to be. They take soma vacations. People in this conversation are arguing whether or not being happy all of the time is good. Am I correct?
I originally posted this thread because I was beginning to wonder if natural happiness and forced enthusiasm were alike to that of taking a drug, such as soma, to feel an effect. I mean, when my mind and thoughts play tricks on me to give the feeling that I am on top of the world, is it the same as taking soma? So if someone such as Lenina in Brave New World acted positive and enthusiastic when she was down, would it then replace soma? Her mindset would have to be set strong on the focus of happiness, but it is possible. We see, for example, that without soma the citizens can feel happy and enthusiastic because Lenina remains positive when talking to Fanny about Bernard and his imperfections. This last reference was page 44.
ReplyDeleteOK, Joey. That works. It's a tiny little tack that ties all comments together. I'll go with it.
ReplyDeleteJust to be clear, Warren...you didn't say anything like that before or after Joey's brief little mention of soma. You were ruminating on happiness and enthusiasm in general terms...I want you to be alert to the fact that I am looking for these connections as I read, and I am trying to minimize the number of posts where students are riffing about whatever.