to be sad

How many sad movies, songs and news stories does it take for the realization to occur that it's easy to be sad?

When I was and adolescent in the 90s I was always a little miffed at experiencing such a wonderful, storybook childhood. Nothing to brood, paint or write songs about. No good reason to throw myself at cute guys to find self worth. It wasn't until the pressures of life piled up that I realized happiness is the exception. It's what great works of art should be about, depression and emptiness are the norm. Sadness is in effect, mediocre.

Movie critics have it all wrong. They praise the filmmaker that can twist your soul with despair, and bring you down to their dreary level, but the film that inspires and encourages (without being ridiculously cheesy) is the real masterpiece.

You might argue this observation by saying you know plenty of idiots who are blissfully happy. I don't mean them. I don't mean ignorance which doesn't know any better. I'm talking about the person who has to pay bills, help friends, protest injustice and then cook dinner.

A person struggling with a deflated soul, head down on the table, hears that they have it tough, when it is much more difficult to pick your head up off of that table and decide to contribute. While it does hurt to be sad, it's much more tiring to be happy.

Is it easier to make someone laugh or make someone cry? While it may take more effort, at the end of the day you'll be able to sleep without a pill.