Comments on: Happiness in Troubled Times

By: Elaine

Elaine — Thu, 11 Jun 2020 13:36:44 +0000

Thanks Madelaine,
Just what I needed today! I was feeling the sadness and your article reminded me to feel all the happiness and blessings at the same time. It’s not an either/or!

By: Madelaine Weiss

Madelaine Weiss — Tue, 09 Jun 2020 15:36:02 +0000

In reply to Steven Nisenbaum. Beautiful, Steven. Thank you! The Advaita Vedantists call it a "still point," a way to stand and center for all amid the natural chaos you describe.

By: Madelaine Weiss

Madelaine Weiss — Tue, 09 Jun 2020 15:31:21 +0000

In reply to Karen Gross.

You are so right, Karen. I read once that some little girls learn to read a room because – since no one was telling them what was going on – they had to. Likely I am one of them, as I can feel energy shift, which turns out to be a big plus in my work. Thank you for your contribution and reminder.

By: Steven Nisenbaum

Steven Nisenbaum — Tue, 09 Jun 2020 14:54:49 +0000

This reminds me of the ancient wisdom that “this too shall pass,” which was supposedly an inscription on the ring of King Solomon and also was recalled by Beatle George Harrison in his album “All Things Must Mass.” That is, troubles and troubled times will occur, and things pass from good to bad and back in endless repetition. But your enduring self of Who You Are, your soul or ideals and faith, should remain constant and steadfast and even appreciative of all the World and God’s Creation has to offer, in spite of the surrounding turbulence. It may seem like an insensitivity to the pain of Others or even Yourself so it appears a paradox or even wrong. But it is really being able to remain steadfast with a sense of enduring purpose for your own self in troubled times, who you want to be and would want for others, and hopefully as a symbol, reminder, beacon of hope, encouragement to others that is sustaining, inspiring and replenishing.

By: Karen Gross

Karen Gross — Tue, 09 Jun 2020 14:34:59 +0000

This piece is spot-on. I particularly liked two points: (1). one can be happy and sad at the same time; and (2) there are some positives that will come from the social isolation and those are worth embracing. This is akin to realizing that there are some positive qualities traumatized people gain from their trauma — maybe not worth the price of admission but positives nonetheless. By way of example, hypervigilance lets you read a room, sense if an audience is following you, anticipate the feelings of others and get the dynamics of a business negotiation…..

By: Madelaine Weiss

Madelaine Weiss — Tue, 09 Jun 2020 13:55:56 +0000

In reply to Judy Carney. Thx for weighing in, Judy. Nicely put. I see at the end of your comment, you kind of say ok to happiness. Hope it becomes more and more okay for us all. Makes the world a warmer place, even and especially as we also struggle.

By: Judy Carney

Judy Carney — Tue, 09 Jun 2020 13:27:55 +0000

Excellent points. I would agree that it seems that in some ways by slowing down enough all of the other “busy” things can just by the wayside. Those other things that have kept me very busy just no longer “have” to be done and in fact I realize I no longer want to do them. So done with the busy-ness of the world. I that way I do agree. If that means happiness well then ok.