Depression is a word that most of us will at least hear quite a few times in our life. Unfortunately, most of us will brush it aside as the stereotyped label for hormonal teenagers, or elderly that seem to think that their life has no purpose. While this is the most common ideology surrounding the condition of depression, the reality of it is actually more severe. More and more people every day are diagnosed, in the process of treatment or completely unaware that they have this particular illness.
But is it really an illness? The loss of any happy feeling towards life, when nothing disastrous has occurred makes no sense really does it? In a world full of information, people still don’t have a specific answer as to what causes it. Sure, it could be a chemical imbalance in the brain, or a traumatic experience re-surfacing, or maybe there is no reason. Whatever the circumstance, whatever the reason, whatever the event… It is real; it is around us and can affect anyone.
There is however one thing all of these people have in common… the loss of interest in life itself.
It makes me upset to know that there are so many people who do not see life for how beautiful it is. I know that it isn’t their fault, they can’t help it. But why aren’t they happy? Happiness, we so often are told, is not a destination, but a way of life. So how do some find it, and others don’t? The answer is quite simple and complicated at the same time.
Even as I’m writing this, sitting at my desk and chain smoking I am dumbfounded. There is so much information in this world! So many answers to so many questions, yet no answers the most basic one being: How do I become happy? We learnt at school how to solve complex mathematical equations, how to pull apart even the most in-depth literature, how to make friends even. But, the one thing they did not teach us was how to be happy. Be content with what we have. To see beauty in the life we create for ourselves. I understand it isn’t a simple task; it definitely isn’t for the fainthearted! Some say you should learn to forgive those who have wronged you, others say the only solution is to let go and move on. While these aspects are important, they take time and time isn’t something you have when you are losing interest in life. So I give you my solution. No matter who you are, no matter what you do or how much money you earn, no matter how many friends you have; you cannot find happiness. There is no way on this earth you can actively seek out happiness.
Sounds quite horrible doesn’t it? However horrible it sounds, it’s true. Happiness isn’t a destination; it isn’t a way of life. So I give you my logic:
If you purposely seek out ways to become happy, you will fail. Why? Because it’s a fake journey, you’re heart isn’t in it, and you’re most likely not ready for it. The more you think about happiness as something to ‘obtain’ like a physical object, the less likely you are at getting it.
Happiness cannot be sought out, found or discovered.
The only way of reaching it, in fact is to realise that it is a bi-product. Accidental or not, this bi-product is only activated when a person realises their full potential, by finding a purpose. No matter how small, stupid or insignificant that purpose is, this is what allows someone to be happy. It could be anything, from volunteering to reading to small children to aiming to make at least one other smile everyday… This is what generates self worth and purpose. If you seek out a purpose for living, you’ll find that happiness is just around the corner… and you won’t even know that it’s hit you.
There is pain in this world, but whether you choose to suffer from it is up to you… We are never given anything we cannot handle and you will survive! I know this because I believe in you. Each one of us is special, has a gift, and has potential. We can change, alter, adapt to what we need. If you woke up tomorrow and wanted to become a brain surgeon, then do it! Half way through, if you end up deciding it’s not for you, then fine, open the next door. You couldn’t have opened that second door without going through the first however. If you find yourself falling off the tracks, stop. Deep breaths and reflect… I mean you made it this far once, you can do it again right?
Stop living like it’s your goal to be perfect! Without mistakes we cannot learn.
Stop living with the feeling that everything is bad! Without the bad, the good won’t look so good now will it?
Stop thinking that the world is a terrible place! Yes, we humans have been trialled, tested, hurt, put through everything possibly wrong… but we are still here, still surviving!
Don’t waste time on seeking out your own happiness, why not create it in someone else’s life, and see where that leaves you… I cannot stress enough, find your purpose. Find inspiration; find the next door, find what you need to keep going! All it takes is that first step……………….
