"The desire for more positive experience is itself a negative experience. And, paradoxically, the acceptance of one’s negative experience is itself a positive experience."

Do you try to be happy?

[–] NoRamyunForYou 2 points 1 year ago (3 children)

Ooh, that's one I've been meaning to read for a while. Overall, how are you enjoying the book so far?

[–] absGeekNZ 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

From the book:

You know who bases their entire lives on their emotions? Three-year-old kids. And dogs. You know what else three-year- olds and dogs do? Shit on the carpet.

[–] NoRamyunForYou 2 points 1 year ago

haha. I'll definitely be giving it a read soon :)

[–] absGeekNZ 3 points 1 year ago

I'm about 10% through, it is really good.

It really starts strong with an interesting anecdote about the poet Charles Bukowski.

[–] Dave 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I read it a while back. If I remember rightly, it has mixed reviews because it doesn't click with everyone. I remember it being an enjoyable and easy read so I say give it a go.

[–] NoRamyunForYou 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Definitely! Got it in my list :) Been good to get an E-Reader. It's really got me enjoying searching for books and reading again.

[–] absGeekNZ 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I read on my eNote, it is not the best since it is 10" but it works well enough.

My old 7" e-reader has been claimed by my 7yo, he reads on it every day.

[–] NoRamyunForYou 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Mines even smaller! Only 6inches. I thought id struggle with the size, but find it pretty comfortable to use :)

[–] absGeekNZ 3 points 1 year ago

I like the weight of the smaller one.... But I don't see it often

[–] Axisential 2 points 1 year ago

I must re read that. A good book - even if only for a different perspective

[–] luthis 2 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I like these lite philosophical questions you ask.

I think I tend more towards trying not to be unhappy.. Most of the things I do are driven negatively by a fear of chaos and proactive avoidance of stress, and positively by a desire to achieve and be organised. Happiness doesn't consciously factor in very often.

For most of my life I don't think I have been overly happy, but I've reached some decent depths of depression. Most of the time I'm 'just ok.'

I've been in some pretty dark places, so if I can be just ok, I'm happy with that. Oh hey, there you go. I guess I do try!

[–] absGeekNZ 3 points 1 year ago

LOL

I like these lite philosophical questions you ask.

I tend to think big thoughts often, it is just the way I am. I could be far more esoteric; but I digress.

Early in my "adulthood" I was very depressed, I flirted with ideas of suicide often. Until one day; I had been ignoring my health and was sick, but still went out drinking and parting with some friends. I was always looking for external validation. Next morning I was walking home sick, with shit running down my leg, hungover in the freezing rain in clothes that were not suited to being in the rain. I decided at that point that I was going to end it when I got home....suffice to say, the walk home helped clear my head.

I realized that always trying to be happy and chasing happiness didn't work for me. From then on I was still depressed, but got better surprisingly quickly.

[–] Dave 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

I was reading a book referencing a study a while back, the study gave everyone pagers, and throughout the day and asked them to rate their happiness. What they found is that while you get a brief blip when you dog dies or you win lotto, regardless of your demographic it's not long before you're back rating happiness at 7/10. Rich or poor, young or old, stressed or lazy: 7/10.

It may have even been this book I read it in 😆

[–] absGeekNZ 2 points 1 year ago

About 20% through after lunch, if its in there I'll find it before long.