American culture's overemphasis on happiness misses an essential part of a full life(chronicle.com)
chronicle.com
American culture's overemphasis on happiness misses an essential part of a full life
http://chronicle.com/temp/reprint.php?id=tk1twsk466pmt0m7fj6py116kyc71fhv
3 comments
I was always taught by my father to seek joy not happiness. Joy is something you can aim for, it comes in bursts and it's very rewarding and cheap to work towards. Happiness exists at the cost of other emotions which are essential to colour your life. Of course when I was ten I thought he was a grumpy old git but now at 30+ I'm starting to get it :)
If you find this article at all persuasive then please read some of the writings of Peter Kramer (just google Peter Kramer melancholy) and you will see the proper counterpoint to this fluff.
One word: Emo