Licking the Razor's Edge (2015)

And then when things are going well once again – when we actually feel happy, what do
we often do? We purposefully drift from our joy in order to “take another walk on the
dark side” … We begin to wonder when our “good times” will pass, we return to
worrying about our future, we choose to turn towards the television to watch our favorite
drama -- or soak up a tragedy in the theater -- or read a favorite author’s latest pulp-saga
of turmoil & despair.
How ironic that we try so hard to feel more alive by indirectly immersing ourselves in
others’ daily downfalls;
… that we try so hard to feel better by focusing on others who are feeling worse;
… that we try so hard to be happier by choosing to vicariously experience another
person’s sadness.
And we wonder why this is so …
Why is that so many of us have abandoned experiencing lasting Joy in favor of pursuing
brittle “happiness”?
Why is it that so many of us have deserted deep-seated inner Peace in favor of returning
again & again to the gloominess that is mourning the future with our worry, mourning the
present with our disappointment, and mourning the past with our regret?
Well, science might just have an explanation …
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