There are so many reasons to be happy.
I’ve spent a fair amount of time being “emo,” and quite frankly, it became tiring. Unhappiness is draining, not just on yourself, but on everyone you interact with. As I dive further into the ocean of self-discovery I first located just over a year ago, I’ve come to take on lighter and more optimistic ideals. When I was in school, I used to be generally sad, with small bursts of enjoyment. Now, I find myself being extremely happy for days at a time, lightly peppered with sadness that is easily brushed aside.
I know my turbulent teenage years were a phase. But is this a phase too? I hope not.
Often, I appear to be so chipper, that people become wary, perhaps perceiving my cheerfulness as fake, although, I assure you, it is not. For example, today, I set up a booth for Katimavik at the career fair at my former high school. Generally, when I talk to anyone, I get excited, but even more so with Katimavik it seems. Since it was such an amazing part of my life, I get extremely hyper, as I try to explain every aspect of the program in as little time as possible. While many appreciate the enthusiasm, I did notice one or two people seem to shrink next to my outspoken excitement.
I felt badly for maybe making the person feel uncomfortable with my million watt sunshiney-demeanour, but I feel it begs the question: Should I curb my enthusiasm to suit the comfort zones of others?
I remember back in the day, when I was in one of my moods, my friends telling me to be happy and to appreciate what I do have. I worked hard to improve my optimism and esteem. Should I give that up to cater to the more pessimistic needs of people?
I saw “The Diary of Anne Frank,” performed at Mount Royal College last night (which was excellent. My friend, Sarah, plays Anne. If you’re in the Calgary area, rush out to see it before closing night this weekend!), so I will refer to a quote from Anne Frank, herself:
We all live with the objective of being happy; our lives are all different and yet the same.
If we are all striving for happiness, is it our job to help others find it? Or is it a personal journey? Should we be actively seeking it, or allow it to find us, and catch us by surprise? Will we know when we have a grasp on it, or will we remain oblivious until it slips through our fingers?
I don’t know.
Click here for quotes on happiness. Let me know if you find it!
If you’ve found happiness, I see know reason why you should curb it! The greatest joy in life, I think, is happiness.
I’m struggling with being happy with my life. So it’s great to see that it’s attainable.
I may not feel it now, but happy people are inspiring. Seeing depressed faces only reinforces depressive behavior, the way I see it.
No! Enthusiasm is good
You shouldn’t let others ruin your mood. And even though there were those two uncomfortable people, I’m sure you cheered up many more!
I’m in love with my university like you’re in love with Katimavik. If I talk about it, I can become really excited. But if my behavior is turning people off, I will turn it down, because I can express my love in a calm way. And really all I’m trying to do is convince them to love it too – I don’t want them to think, “Eww…” But, as Kaylee said, don’t let anyone ruin your mood.
I’m generally cheerful (not always because I’m sensitive, and sometimes I find myself taking random crap personally). Anyway, sometimes I fake cheerfulness, because well… I put myself in leadership positions and if I’m not motivated to work, no one else is going to be. Grinning, I say things like, “I don’t want to do it either – but it’s going to be fun! and we don’t have a choice.”
As far as happiness goes, I’ve come to realize that my happiness depends on “doing the right thing” and my ability to make those around me happy. If everyone else is miserable and hates me, I’m going to be miserable too.
I was exactly the same when I was a teenager – very moody and dark. I’ve lightened up a lot since and like you am excitable and chirpy. I’ve even had friends tell me I can be overwhelming. My tutors at university sometimes find me intimidating!
To answer your question – no I don’t think someone should feign a lower level of confidence in order to make others feel comfortable. Just the same way I wouldn’t want someone to feign a characteristic in order to make me feel better about myself.
I believe happiness is a personal journey, because we all experience different things in life that affect its stability. And like any journey it is something that we have to seek out and choose for ourselves. I am happy because I am doing something which I achieved through my own means. Therefore for me happiness is a sense of fulfilment by knowing I am doing something I am passionate about.
Hope this makes sense, it’s 1am and I’ve had a bit to drink
I love your site!
Should you curb your enthusiasm for the benefit of others? I say NEVER! Life is what happens when you’re striving toward your goals or something. It’s always ups and downs for everyone. I like to think of myself as a very positive person who cheers people up and feels good when making other people happy and feel good. And even I sometimes am grumpy, sometimes for no reasons. Sometimes things that make me really happy can’t cheer me up. But I think as long as you can list more good times and good qualities up yourself and your life than bad, then you’re still doing great. And if your bad outweighs the good, then it’s time to reevaluate what you want in life and make steps in the direction you want to be.
I don’t think happiness is a very easy thing, at least not for most people. And it’s often a decision you make. Just wake up and think, I’m going to be in a good mood today.
I don’t think you should curb your enthusiasm at all! In fact, I think if more people were like you, the world would be such a better place. I was pretty depressed last year, because I had to move to a whole different area, but this year, I’m a lot more enthusiastic. I think that Anne Frank is a role model to all the young girls out there, she lived in such a horrible time, yet she still had so much hope. If I remember correctly, the last words in her diary were “I still believe that everyone is good inside”. Or something along the lines of that. I think the journey to happiness is different for everybody, and for some, they may never find it. But if you want to be happy, and you try to put a smile on your face everyday, I believe that you will find it.
Well, that’s great to hear that you are getting more periods of happy! That is the way life should be. I would NOT curb my enthusiasm for anyone. If they don’t like it, that’s just too bad. I am who I am and that’s the way it is. HMPH. LOL. I saw Anne Frank last week. It was really good eh?! I adored the set. I had never been to a thrust theatre before and so it was neat to see the audience on all 3 sides. Sarah, did a great job as Anne too…she is a great actress.