It's OK To Be Happy

Being angry all the time doesn't make you a better person.

In our overconnected world of infinite media, we are exposed to more information than ever before. When something crazy happens, it doesn’t stay geographically isolated. Within hours, it could be an internationally viral story with millions of views, shares, and public opinions. This is particularly true if there is video footage of the incident, which is increasingly common given the rise of smartphones.

Due to the algorithmic nature of both our brains and social media, we are more likely to see, hear, and share negative stories than positive ones. If something makes us feel outraged or upset, we are more likely to react to it.

This phenomenon is not new. It has been exploited by the media and marketers for centuries. However, with endless information at our fingertips and 24/7 global communication, its effects are amplified exponentially.

Beyond modern technology, we also have the age-old concept of ‘righteous anger’.

We live in a fallen world, and with that come billions of sins and millions of crimes committed daily. At any given moment, there is something terrible happening somewhere.

Hypothetically, you could spend all day finding awful things that are happening around the world. Even if you had the emotional fortitude to do this, you wouldn’t have the time, such is the level of chaos.

Given all the tragedy in the world, isn’t it rational to live in a constant state of ‘righteous anger’? Most of us don’t even need to look beyond the borders of our own cities or nations to find the problems. And if you are a moral person, then you should be outraged by injustice and unnecessary suffering.

Have you heard this line of thinking? Perhaps you’ve even expressed it yourself:

“How can you be happy when (insert bad thing) is happening in the world?!”

Well, today I’ll try to answer that question.

There is no time in recorded human history when there haven’t been bad things happening in the world. So, if the existence of suffering prevents the presence of joy, then nobody should ever be happy.

Clearly, this is an untenable mode of existence. By this logic, we should all be permanently upset, from the time our conscience comes online as children until our final breath.

Increasingly, I hear people in my generation and younger say they don’t want to have children because:

“Who would want to raise children in a world like this?”

It is said without a hint of irony, as if the world now is objectively worse than it was in previous centuries. (The opposite is true).

Happiness is not a zero-sum game, nor is it dependent on perfect internal or external conditions.

You being happy isn’t the reason why others are suffering. And their misfortune should not permanently impede your ability to feel joy. Naturally, we feel compassion for those who are experiencing pain, and this hits harder the closer they are to us. That emotion is normal, healthy, and a good sign that you’re not a sociopath.

One of the popular recent slogans when it comes to mental health awareness is:

“It’s OK not to be OK.”

There is a time and place for that message. We are not emotionless automatons.

But today, I want to tell you:

“It’s OK to be OK.”

It’s good in fact. It’s better than the opposite and something we should all strive for.

Being terminally angry, offended, or sad doesn’t make you a better person. Whilst there may be valid reasons for feeling that way, it doesn’t imply that you are better informed or more compassionate than those who are happier day-to-day. If anything, it usually leads to the opposite because we’re not our best selves when we’re upset.

Savour every breath and cherish every beautiful sight. Be grateful for the roof over your head, food in your belly, and loved ones around you. None of these things are guaranteed.

Life can be dark, but it is also full of light. Choose to walk in the light instead of wallowing in the darkness.

Have a blessed day.

1,
Zuby