I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues: Random blog generator. Yes, I have sunk that low.

First of all, that's not a dig at anyone who does use a topic generator, either overtly or secretly, but I always assumed I'd have the ability to write about stuff from my own head/life without needing help. I feel I have failed you by needing to seek advice from the internet, but who knows, maybe it will be a triumph.

My random topic (after much re-clicking of the generate button to get past nuclear fusion and American history) was "keeping yourself happy". As we know this is something I struggle with. Not that I'm clinically depressed but without the veneer of happiness that I put on and present to the world beyond this blog I am an unhappy person.

That's not as dramatic as it sounds, really. A mate once said that contentment is far superior to happiness and I would tend to agree, even thought the point he was arguing when he said this was a little less agreeable (more on that another time maybe). Happiness is a short-term emotion, whereas contentment is a more long-term state of being. By the same token, unhappiness is a flash in the pan feeling, whose corresponding long-term state of mind is discontentment. The point is, although I'm frequently unhappy, it's not a constant state and I'm pretty content with life at the moment, so don't interpret this as a depressed cry for help.

Anyway, it's hard to force happiness on yourself, or fight off unhappiness. Friday taught me this very well as my mood swung from happiness at being with good friends and someone special, to sadness that this could be one of our last get-togethers and that I'm not a certain someone's someone special. Either emotion could and did overpower me at any moment throughout the evening without warning, hence the amount of time I spent going from chilling in the reception room to contemplation in the corridor outside.

The best thing you can do is just go with it, and not ignore the importance of being unhappy sometimes. Another mate said something along the lines of a life lived in happiness is a life not lived and I would agree with that too, if you've never done or seen or experienced anything that makes you sad then you've not felt a major part of what it is to be human. And, if you've seen, done or experienced something that should make you sad but you've ignored it so you can stay happy then you're a fool. Perhaps keeping yourself happy was not the best topic for me, in fairness, but it's done now.
Whether happy or sad, the emotion will pass soon and you should endeavour to make the most of both feelings. We learn more about ourselves in adversity than in good times so explore your unhappiness and take away any lesson it can teach you. And if you are lucky enough to find yourself in a happy place, enjoy it and take those memories forward to help you through tougher times.