February 11, 2009 @ 6:11 pm | Filed under: Soul Food,Uniquely Me
I read the following quote in an article a few days ago:
“Happiness makes me useless. Anger and sadness are inspiring.”
This was said by a well-known music artist who – although not one of my favorites – is certainly looked up to, and respected, by many.
I moved on from the article, but then came back to it several times, just to read that one quote again. Something about it bothered me, but also begged me to look at it closer, more in depth.
To read it once is to be bothered by the sheer absurdity of it. Anyone who read this probably had much the same reaction.
But to read it again (and again and again) is to see (whether we want to admit it or not) there is some validity to her words.
Happiness, for the most part, is shallow and fleeting. What makes us smile today often bugs us tomorrow. What fulfills today no longer will satisfy tomorrow. Things, people, situations – they come and go, alter and change. There is no stability in these things and, because of this, the happiness that we claim to derive from them is also subject to instability.
What I have personally found while in this particular (shallow) state of happiness is that I often become complacent and fail to produce what I am capable of producing. This state often breeds the “it’s all about me” mentality and fosters a false sense of self-centeredness.
In short, it makes us lazy and ineffective. It spoils us.
Yet when I acknowledge these times without clinging to them, when I appreciate them without camping out on their doorstep – at these times they serve as a catalyst instead of a hindrance. When I look through the lens of truth I am able to see these times for what they truly are.
I draw from them but I don’t bank on them. I enjoy them but I don’t depend on them.
While I still find this artist’s words a bit jarring, I’m giving her the benefit of the doubt and assuming that she sees it this way too.
Happiness that breeds ineffectiveness is not true happiness. So, yes, in a sense it can make us useless.
Anger and sadness aren’t inspiring. But, yes, they are often the motivation for change for the good.
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