The Mythos of the "Happy People"
Posted: May 1st, 2009, 9:04 pm
The Mythos of the "Happy People"
©2009 Beth Isbell
Ok, I admit, I'm sometimes late to the game when it comes to picking up on trends in pop culture, but I've been noticing a mythic rise in the cult of the "Happy People." Which is interesting in that it seems to bear a direct inverse relationship to the collapse of the US economy. Lately, I am being bombarded with happy friends sending me waves of "love and light", far more so than usual, and encouraging me to rid myself of all negative persons who may display negative emotions or carry any type of negative energy. Their Mythos teaches that I will be much happier if I surround myself ONLY with happy people with happy thoughts about happy things.
It would be one thing if I was just witnessing my friends engaging in this pleasant silliness from my perch high above the fray, but now these "happy people" have pulled me into their ruckus. Mind you, now, I did not ask to be dragged into their fray or made part of their Mythos.
A fairly close friend recently told me that she had made the decision to distance herself from me, drop me from all social networks, because she characterized me as occasionally giving off negative energy. She labelled me "passive aggressive," because like any good friend should, I actually told her the truth when her breath did not smell good! The straw was apparently after she posted a cute picture of 55 year old pale white skinny self in her bikini on a beach in Costa Rica, I posted a message that I was glad she was having fun & hoped she came back with a nice tan. OMG, I'm a passive aggressive monster with a massively large mean streak posting things I should have known would cause her to despair over her meaning and existence on this planet! She concluded by sending me "love & light."
So I replied saying that she should know that I always think and have thought she is quite beautiful, my comment was innocent and I meant no offense, people often hope their friends come back with tans. And finally, truth was it hurt me a little she dropped me from facebook. OMG, apparently that was being totally "passive aggressive" too (up until that moment, I actually thought I knew what that term meant), and then she proceeded to blister me with attack after attack after attack about how insensitive I was, how this or how that ... brutal, and her attacks weren't unintentional, misinterpreted or even mildly passive, they were purposefully aggressive. But then she concluded this hate filled angry diatribe by sending me more "love & light," which naturally made her feel happy and magically made everything better.
I guess in the Mythos of the Happy People, sending "love & light" is an excellent way to wash any blood off your hands after the attack and to rid your mind of petty guilt. After all, they were a negative ion person, so they deserved it. I mean, it's not like you killed a puppy or anything. I always thought the point of karma was to do good things, but expect nothing in return, and maybe when you most need the favor returned, karma might return it. Maybe that's just watching too much Earl.
So that brings us to today's discussion. There they were. The Happy People. Rearing their happy heads. And off the discussion began.
Sally (my friend): "Out with the rude, critical, ungrateful ones & in with positive, nice, exciting people that bring joy & energy."
Dave: "I hear ya. I'm sending some positive vibes your way."
Sally: "Thanks Dave, I need it. I usually have my own positive vibes, then rude, ungrateful people steal it from me....just for a moment though."
Bob: "when that happens just think to yourself 'I send you love & release you from me' ... release you is like saying i don't judge you and I send love to match your hate -- love wins everytime "
At which point, fearing I might lose another friend to the Happy cult, I jumped in: "omg Bob & Sally, I just lost a really good friend over all this ... I try never to be rude or ungrateful, but I can't always be happy, positive, or mindless all the time either. Sometimes it spills out, mainly all over me. So maybe the answer is not unrealistically insisting that those surrounding yourself must always be positive happy fuzzies, but actually developing a well balanced ego that is less fragile than eggshells that actually realizes YOU are always beautiful despite others thoughts, comments, criticisms or bad hair days."
Bob: "Beth - nothing wrong with emotions. ... Have you heard of the emotional guidance scale? I appreciate negative emotions because like a fuel gauge they remind me that I need to fill up. People say motivation doesn’t last and I agree but neither does bathing and that’s why it’s recommended daily. I appreciate anger --- oh yes – bring it on. I appreciate depression because I know that being powerless is apart of life – but I like the feeling of having power more then the feeling of powerlessness – so I move up the scale towards anger – and I’d prefer to blaime people then feel all that anger Within me but after a while I just get bored but you know what? Being bored feels better then being depressed – and after boredom I move to Something that feels better Ask yourself this question: Is the world getting better or worse? The answer is simple for an inspiration based person. It's getting better because every problem equals a chance. Every cloud has a silver lining and nothing bad happens without something good happening but A desperation based person will tell you that it's getting worse because that's their focus ... happy people live in a happy world ... cruel people live in a cruel world ... it's a choice really: I know the argument is dont' you see all the horrible in the world and the answer is no -- i don't choose to focus on that. I turn away and pick up something more pleasing. It expands in my reality !!! In my reality happiness rules !!!"
(At which point I'm thinking no, real people, live in a real world, choosing to be cognizant of all of it, but choosing a joyous path)
Beth: "Bob - what? if you want to be happy, be happy, ... if you want to share your happiness, share it ... if you're not always happy, that's ok, I'll still like you even at those times when you don't like yourself & hope that you might talk to me. I don't need you to be happy all the time for me to be happy. I do that for myself."
Bob: "nothing is wrong with it -- no right no wrong per say just preference of choice -- if a person brings up negative things to me that brings it to my focus and if it's done enough it can expand into my reality -- ideas are contagious !!! ... if a person talks about the negative news or tells me about problems in there life and they repeatably do it without trying to think better or reach for the next best feeling then they do not bring me anything that I want in my focus so it's a choice to move my attention to something else."
(OK, so as I'm understanding this Mythos, apparently if you're friend is telling you about their bad day or problem, you should choose to ignore them, move your attention to something else, and be a selfish unsympathetic, uncaring bastard, but still pretend to be their friend)
Bob: "perception is not passive -- it's an act of creation
what you focus on expands
what you think about you bring about
you have 100% control over your focus so
you control your life 100% and
watching negative things or talking to negative people
seems harmless but it's not at all -- your choosing your
focus by choosing to allow that into your life.
--> you vibe with people who think like you
happy people vibe with other happy people
sad people get along with sad people
depressed people like other depresseed people
two drunks in a bar make perfect sense to each other !!!
two meth addicts understand each other perfectly
no right
no wrong
just your focus ( your choice )
your alignment is equal to that of your focus"
(You, the reader, have now been fully indoctrinated into the cult of the Happy People. Please pay the $19.95 lecture fee prior to exiting. Be careful as you exit as your mind has undergone a very powerful psychedelic trip and may still be experiencing psychic after-shocks)
Sally: "Thanks for your thoughts. It's helpful. The bottom line for me is that I will not be around people that consistantly criticize me & make me feel less than I am. I do know I am doing a great job in all aspects of life. I will only be around people that uplift me, as I do for people. Also, if I feel unappreciated after helping someone for years, then I will surround myself with other people. I want to let it go & focus on happiness & helping others."
(My friend Sally seems to have a fairly normal view of it all, perhaps the Happy People have not succeeded in indoctrinating her after all)
Beth: Bob - you and I agree on this - you control what you think & focus on & makes you happy. But sad people can & like to vibe with happy people sometimes as it sometimes makes them better - and the reverse is also true - make a sad person feel nice about themselves and it will make you happier ... There is a danger of happy people only associating with happy people; and rejecting all others. It is just silly to think that you have to hide from anything or anyone who is the least bit negative - it is natural to swim towards the light, but we should not be afraid of the dark either. In everything, one must find balance. The fear that another's negativity may rub off on you is only a true sign you have not mastered your ability to control your own emotions or weak ego. If you choose only surround yourself with this type of self-hyper happy world, then you lose your ability to properly deal with tragedy and loss or to help others do so. There is a reason for both the yin & the yang. Perhaps this will clarify - I would much rather choose to surround myself in a room with truly brilliant intelligent thinkers, even if they are sometimes negative and critical, even towards and of me, than a roomful of always happy airheads. Which room offers me a better chance for meaningful personal growth, self-actualization and true lasting fulfillment?"
There, by god, an effective summation. My friend Sally is saved! Yay! The false Mythos of the Happy People has not stolen another of my good friends. She is still able to recognize that perhaps it's ok to also have friends who are both brilliant but have some negative energy too. After all, the world's leading critical minds and brilliant scientists and philosophers need negativity and complaints in their view of the world, to inspire their brilliant solutions to push the world forward. Should we ignore the beauty of the art of Van Gogh because he chopped off his own ear, ... should we ignore the great societal meaning of the philosophical works of Socrates because he committed suicide? I feel elated, relieved, joyous, even triumphant! ...
But then ...
Sally: "Here is what I want- brilliant, intelligent thinkers that are happy & nice! I don't think it has to be either/or. Just because one is happy doesn't mean they are an airhead."
©2009 Beth Isbell
Ok, I admit, I'm sometimes late to the game when it comes to picking up on trends in pop culture, but I've been noticing a mythic rise in the cult of the "Happy People." Which is interesting in that it seems to bear a direct inverse relationship to the collapse of the US economy. Lately, I am being bombarded with happy friends sending me waves of "love and light", far more so than usual, and encouraging me to rid myself of all negative persons who may display negative emotions or carry any type of negative energy. Their Mythos teaches that I will be much happier if I surround myself ONLY with happy people with happy thoughts about happy things.
It would be one thing if I was just witnessing my friends engaging in this pleasant silliness from my perch high above the fray, but now these "happy people" have pulled me into their ruckus. Mind you, now, I did not ask to be dragged into their fray or made part of their Mythos.
A fairly close friend recently told me that she had made the decision to distance herself from me, drop me from all social networks, because she characterized me as occasionally giving off negative energy. She labelled me "passive aggressive," because like any good friend should, I actually told her the truth when her breath did not smell good! The straw was apparently after she posted a cute picture of 55 year old pale white skinny self in her bikini on a beach in Costa Rica, I posted a message that I was glad she was having fun & hoped she came back with a nice tan. OMG, I'm a passive aggressive monster with a massively large mean streak posting things I should have known would cause her to despair over her meaning and existence on this planet! She concluded by sending me "love & light."
So I replied saying that she should know that I always think and have thought she is quite beautiful, my comment was innocent and I meant no offense, people often hope their friends come back with tans. And finally, truth was it hurt me a little she dropped me from facebook. OMG, apparently that was being totally "passive aggressive" too (up until that moment, I actually thought I knew what that term meant), and then she proceeded to blister me with attack after attack after attack about how insensitive I was, how this or how that ... brutal, and her attacks weren't unintentional, misinterpreted or even mildly passive, they were purposefully aggressive. But then she concluded this hate filled angry diatribe by sending me more "love & light," which naturally made her feel happy and magically made everything better.
I guess in the Mythos of the Happy People, sending "love & light" is an excellent way to wash any blood off your hands after the attack and to rid your mind of petty guilt. After all, they were a negative ion person, so they deserved it. I mean, it's not like you killed a puppy or anything. I always thought the point of karma was to do good things, but expect nothing in return, and maybe when you most need the favor returned, karma might return it. Maybe that's just watching too much Earl.
So that brings us to today's discussion. There they were. The Happy People. Rearing their happy heads. And off the discussion began.
Sally (my friend): "Out with the rude, critical, ungrateful ones & in with positive, nice, exciting people that bring joy & energy."
Dave: "I hear ya. I'm sending some positive vibes your way."
Sally: "Thanks Dave, I need it. I usually have my own positive vibes, then rude, ungrateful people steal it from me....just for a moment though."
Bob: "when that happens just think to yourself 'I send you love & release you from me' ... release you is like saying i don't judge you and I send love to match your hate -- love wins everytime "
At which point, fearing I might lose another friend to the Happy cult, I jumped in: "omg Bob & Sally, I just lost a really good friend over all this ... I try never to be rude or ungrateful, but I can't always be happy, positive, or mindless all the time either. Sometimes it spills out, mainly all over me. So maybe the answer is not unrealistically insisting that those surrounding yourself must always be positive happy fuzzies, but actually developing a well balanced ego that is less fragile than eggshells that actually realizes YOU are always beautiful despite others thoughts, comments, criticisms or bad hair days."
Bob: "Beth - nothing wrong with emotions. ... Have you heard of the emotional guidance scale? I appreciate negative emotions because like a fuel gauge they remind me that I need to fill up. People say motivation doesn’t last and I agree but neither does bathing and that’s why it’s recommended daily. I appreciate anger --- oh yes – bring it on. I appreciate depression because I know that being powerless is apart of life – but I like the feeling of having power more then the feeling of powerlessness – so I move up the scale towards anger – and I’d prefer to blaime people then feel all that anger Within me but after a while I just get bored but you know what? Being bored feels better then being depressed – and after boredom I move to Something that feels better Ask yourself this question: Is the world getting better or worse? The answer is simple for an inspiration based person. It's getting better because every problem equals a chance. Every cloud has a silver lining and nothing bad happens without something good happening but A desperation based person will tell you that it's getting worse because that's their focus ... happy people live in a happy world ... cruel people live in a cruel world ... it's a choice really: I know the argument is dont' you see all the horrible in the world and the answer is no -- i don't choose to focus on that. I turn away and pick up something more pleasing. It expands in my reality !!! In my reality happiness rules !!!"
(At which point I'm thinking no, real people, live in a real world, choosing to be cognizant of all of it, but choosing a joyous path)
Beth: "Bob - what? if you want to be happy, be happy, ... if you want to share your happiness, share it ... if you're not always happy, that's ok, I'll still like you even at those times when you don't like yourself & hope that you might talk to me. I don't need you to be happy all the time for me to be happy. I do that for myself."
Bob: "nothing is wrong with it -- no right no wrong per say just preference of choice -- if a person brings up negative things to me that brings it to my focus and if it's done enough it can expand into my reality -- ideas are contagious !!! ... if a person talks about the negative news or tells me about problems in there life and they repeatably do it without trying to think better or reach for the next best feeling then they do not bring me anything that I want in my focus so it's a choice to move my attention to something else."
(OK, so as I'm understanding this Mythos, apparently if you're friend is telling you about their bad day or problem, you should choose to ignore them, move your attention to something else, and be a selfish unsympathetic, uncaring bastard, but still pretend to be their friend)
Bob: "perception is not passive -- it's an act of creation
what you focus on expands
what you think about you bring about
you have 100% control over your focus so
you control your life 100% and
watching negative things or talking to negative people
seems harmless but it's not at all -- your choosing your
focus by choosing to allow that into your life.
--> you vibe with people who think like you
happy people vibe with other happy people
sad people get along with sad people
depressed people like other depresseed people
two drunks in a bar make perfect sense to each other !!!
two meth addicts understand each other perfectly
no right
no wrong
just your focus ( your choice )
your alignment is equal to that of your focus"
(You, the reader, have now been fully indoctrinated into the cult of the Happy People. Please pay the $19.95 lecture fee prior to exiting. Be careful as you exit as your mind has undergone a very powerful psychedelic trip and may still be experiencing psychic after-shocks)
Sally: "Thanks for your thoughts. It's helpful. The bottom line for me is that I will not be around people that consistantly criticize me & make me feel less than I am. I do know I am doing a great job in all aspects of life. I will only be around people that uplift me, as I do for people. Also, if I feel unappreciated after helping someone for years, then I will surround myself with other people. I want to let it go & focus on happiness & helping others."
(My friend Sally seems to have a fairly normal view of it all, perhaps the Happy People have not succeeded in indoctrinating her after all)
Beth: Bob - you and I agree on this - you control what you think & focus on & makes you happy. But sad people can & like to vibe with happy people sometimes as it sometimes makes them better - and the reverse is also true - make a sad person feel nice about themselves and it will make you happier ... There is a danger of happy people only associating with happy people; and rejecting all others. It is just silly to think that you have to hide from anything or anyone who is the least bit negative - it is natural to swim towards the light, but we should not be afraid of the dark either. In everything, one must find balance. The fear that another's negativity may rub off on you is only a true sign you have not mastered your ability to control your own emotions or weak ego. If you choose only surround yourself with this type of self-hyper happy world, then you lose your ability to properly deal with tragedy and loss or to help others do so. There is a reason for both the yin & the yang. Perhaps this will clarify - I would much rather choose to surround myself in a room with truly brilliant intelligent thinkers, even if they are sometimes negative and critical, even towards and of me, than a roomful of always happy airheads. Which room offers me a better chance for meaningful personal growth, self-actualization and true lasting fulfillment?"
There, by god, an effective summation. My friend Sally is saved! Yay! The false Mythos of the Happy People has not stolen another of my good friends. She is still able to recognize that perhaps it's ok to also have friends who are both brilliant but have some negative energy too. After all, the world's leading critical minds and brilliant scientists and philosophers need negativity and complaints in their view of the world, to inspire their brilliant solutions to push the world forward. Should we ignore the beauty of the art of Van Gogh because he chopped off his own ear, ... should we ignore the great societal meaning of the philosophical works of Socrates because he committed suicide? I feel elated, relieved, joyous, even triumphant! ...
But then ...
Sally: "Here is what I want- brilliant, intelligent thinkers that are happy & nice! I don't think it has to be either/or. Just because one is happy doesn't mean they are an airhead."