Maggie's Farm

Freud famously discussed the Psychiatric goal as one of replacing neurotic unhappiness with normal unhappiness. When Freud wanted to feel merry, he would do a little coke and jump on his wife. I think he preferred coke to alcohol for merriment.

Certainly real life is tragic in many ways, real life is full of worries, joy is fleeting, no promised rose garden, etc etc.

There is no "right to happiness."

I may be blessed in that, despite all of my own inner concerns and real life challenges and worries, I often find myself humming contentedly or smiling for no reason. Sometimes I think that might come from a life in Christ, and sometimes I think it's just me. I was a depressed, unmoored adolescent.

The pursuit of happiness is big business. The Happiness Industry: How the Government and Big Business Sold Us Well-Being  The transcript of the podcast is there. 

It's a shame that happiness can't be purchased but, as they say in the program, "It's an inside job."