Are you happy?

Happiness is a fleeting state. I’m fairly content, but hoping to reach the level of contentment I was at several months ago. It lasted a number of months and was awesome. I woke up ready to get out of bed and enjoy the day, even the challenging parts of it. Then some medical shit happened and I’m still waiting to get back to that previous state. I almost have the medical under control, so hopefully it’ll be soon. It was the longest period of time I’ve felt good in my life.

And how are you, Jake? If I remember right, we have similar psychological issues. So are you happy/content?

@smudges Thanks for asking. I’m solidly OK. I’ve got something in my life to anticipate and be nervous about, but I have confidence in my abilities, so I’m not debilitatingly worried. If the thing works in my favor, I will be overjoyed.

My home life is good. I have good friends. My car is running well as usual. My bills are paid. I have no reason to fear I won’t be able to pay my bills in the future. I am very healthy.

I am solidly OK.

Yes, very. Thanks for asking.

When I get outside my head, I’m quite happy.

This may not be a popular response but I’m going to give it anyway. Am I always happy? No. Are there people that are always genuinely happy? Not if they’re being honest with themselves.

But as a Christian, I have peace and I have joy, among other things. As somebody said above, happiness is fleeting. Here’s an example: I have lots of health issues. I have plenty of days that I’m not feeling great although I’m still able to function, thankfully. Am I necessarily happy on those days? Of course not. But I have the peace of knowing that the ailments of this life are only temporary and that one day I will have a new body with no illnesses or physical limitations. And because of knowing this, not only do I have peace, but I have joy in knowing that this is a short time where I have to make do.

I know you may not understand if you are not a Christian. I know I may get a lot of negative feedback from people on here reading my answer. But this is my honest answer to you.

I have struggled since 2000 to just feel normal, or average.

Eating healthy and going on a low FODMAPS diet has helped.

I’m happy right now.

Shortest, most optimistic answer. Not yet…