Advice for a human. 81. You can't find happiness looking for the meaning of life. Meaning is only the third most important thing. It comes after loving and being. 82. If you think something is ugly, look harder. Ugliness is just a failure of seeing.
Interpretation
Happiness cannot be found by searching for life's meaning; it comes from love and existence.
This quote by Matt Haig emphasizes that the pursuit of happiness should not be centered around understanding the meaning of life, which can often be elusive and overwhelming. Instead, true contentment arises from the experience of love and simply being present in the moment, suggesting that our focus should shift from existential questions to appreciating our connections and existence.
In practice
This quote can inspire discussions in a mental health awareness seminar.
Being a depressive should not imply danger any more than being a man or even a human should. Mental illness isn't a them/us issue; we are all on the scale somewhere. So we must be very careful to resist ignorance and combat the stigma that leads to dangerous silence.
It can be difficult for people to talk about it, because there still is that stigma around mental illness. But I would encourage people to do that, because they'll be surprised once they do 'come out' how many other people have had similar experiences.
Understand that thoughts are thoughts. If they are unreasonable, reason with them, even if you have no reason left. You are the observer of your mind, not its victim.
We need, ultimately, to be able to view mental health with the same clear-headedness we show when talking about physical health.
You are no less or more of a man or a woman or a human for having depression than you would be for having cancer or cardiovascular disease or a car accident.
You don't have to be a creative maverick to have a troubled mind. You just have to be human. There is no 'us' and 'them.' No one is one hundred per cent healthy, physically or mentally.
Joy is not the result of getting what you want; it is the way to get what you want. In the deepest sense, joy is what you want.
The great end of all human industry is the attainment of happiness
To be happy, we must not be too concerned with others.
Happiness is not best achieved by those who seek it directly.
Pour away despair and rinse the cup. Eat happiness like bread.
The only happiness a brave person ever troubles themselves in asking about, is happiness enough to get their work done.
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