Thursday, September 1, 2011

When being miserable becomes familiar..


"People have a hard time letting go of their suffering. Out of a fear of the unknown, they prefer suffering that is familiar." ~ Thich Nhat Hanh.

It is a habit; mourning? It is! Well when we discuss life choices, we usually ignore our choice of sorrow. It is so much safe to be sad, upset, helpless, miserable and loser. When you are there, you’re there! This is your biggest fear and you are living it and now what?

It is safer, more comfortable, you have been there, you know, you know how to mourn. But, happy? Are you kidding me! All that laughing and smiles and plans and brilliant mornings, promising tomorrows, that is scaring, that is absurd! So we stick with it, we develop a strange habit of faithfulness not to friends or spouses, but to depression, breakdowns, and suffering. It becomes a ritual, we turn into detectors, we detect reasons, imperfections, and anything that would serve that ‘highly depressing self-image’ we feed it and watch it grows. Any new problem, mistake, yelling boss is a proof that what we chose was right!

It is a bubble that grows slowly but surely, till we finally become sadness’ worshipers. We love it, we actually enjoy it. It is safe, attracts attention and caring, and above all costless! It costs nothing to be sad, and costs every single thing you have when you risk it all, and decide to feel happy once in a while.

It is amazing how we surrender to suffering and misery. It is stunning how we escape happiness and abundance. After all, happy people have nothing to complain about, while we hold a long long list ;)