Staying Happy

This is a really hard concept to achieve for many of us as happiness if oftentimes a feeling that comes and goes and when one is in a state of not being happy does not necessarily mean that one is UNHAPPY.  For years, I have not felt happy with what I am doing...  it was more like these activities are being done because I needed to do them.  When I was in a situation where I was enjoying myself, it did not mean that I was happy as I enjoyed myself.

According to an online Google search:  Happiness is that feeling that comes over you when you know life is good and you can't help but smile. It's the opposite of sadness. Happiness is a sense of well-being, joy, or contentment. When people are successful, or safe, or lucky, they feel happiness.

Kinda odd because when I am successful, safe, or lucky, I did not sense or make a point of saying or feeling that I was happy...

Depression on the other hand, is a lack of happiness I suppose... 

and, according to online Google:  Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. Also called major depressive disorder or clinical depression, it affects how you feel, think and behave and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems.

Again, there is a differing of my opinion because I was sad that I had gotten a divorce but I never felt depressed nor did I especially feel happiness...  it was just something that was and then it was not.

Not too long ago, my wife and I visited Myrtle Beach, SC for 6 days and while I sat on the beach looking at the water, its waves, and the people playing out in the water or walking by me on the sand, I did not necessarily feel a sense of happiness...  but, at the same time, I had the feeling that I did not want to do anything either.  

• I did not want to get into the water and play
• I did not want to get out of my chair and walk
• I did not want to read a book or listen to a book
• I did not want to get some paper and write
• I did not want to talk to anyone

Could this mean that I was clinically depressed?

There have many many times during the last 12 years while being treated for my cancers that I felt uncertain, had fear, and was sad because of all the turmoil associated with my life...  but, I never saw myself as being depressed.

Over the years, one learns to live with sadness, being alone, being unhappy, lethargy, and a sense of not liking what is happening...  in time, whatever trigger put you there goes away and you get about your life and do what needs to be done...   It is just that simple...  even if you are not happy, ever felt happiness, or just accepted what life offered you.