I’m starting a little late, but I’ve recently been surprised that I’ve learned to be happy. My professional life was not in a pleasant field, with comforts abounding and I was often exposed to horrible things. My newfound happiness surprised me one day when for no reason, I was smiling. I’ve also experimented with becoming more open and less guarded with my feelings. Terrifying!
I’ve read that pleasure is merely the absence of pain. I’m not sure I believe that anymore. The absence of pain doesn’t produce the lightness of the spirit or desire to share the lightness I have come to recognize as happiness.
The New Word Wars 