"Most people would rather be certain they're miserable than risk being happy." by Robert Anthony
2007-12-26 10:28:42 · 10 answers · asked by justasking 5 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
Unfortunately that is true. "Miserable" must be defined though. Miserable here means not following your dreams. If you're not doing that then what are you doing? Surviving? That's too easy. Anyone can do that.
People often take the safe and sure path, and remain miserable, instead of taking a risk and becoming happy. Usually they just don't know how to take risks. It often requires facing ones fears.
Our ego(made up fear) is what keeps us miserable. Fear keeps us from having remarkable accomplishments. I am 41 and I was in a wheelchair until I was 20. I overcame that, and it sure as hell wasn't by listening to my ego telling me not to risk looking bad. I could have opted for certain misery but I instead I took some huge risks to be happy.
Our ego tells us to play it safe and to hold back and to not risk because the worst thing in the world would be to look silly or to be wrong. So we stay miserable and never pursue our dreams.
Paul
2007-12-26 23:01:21 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I disagree. I think people who are miserable are unhappy. They are unhappy because they cannot appreciate what they have, which is the essence of happiness.
Conversely, the essence of miserableness is to count the things you don't have and may never have and ruminate endlessly on this sad state of affairs until you are paralyzed with fear, envy, jealousy and a general inability to feel anything but pity for yourself.
P.S. I don't include in this analysis anyone who suffers from a substantial mental illness that requires medical treatment.
2007-12-26 18:47:10 · answer #2 · answered by TK 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes. I think often it is easy to stay where we are miserable just so we remain in our comfort zones rather that risk trying something else. Being happy sounds great, but if it's unfamiliar, it's safer to unhappy. I think this is especially true for those who suffer from depression.
2007-12-26 18:39:28 · answer #3 · answered by amy 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Many people are afraid of change and view complacency as being safe. So in some respects the quote is correct. But its very simplistic to say it's relevant for everyone. We are all individuals and react differently to given stimuli.
2007-12-26 18:36:36 · answer #4 · answered by Phyllis C 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most?
No. very few people are like that.
I suspect the author of this quote is the type of person who loves risk. People like that despise us sane, risk-averse types.
But just because I'm not in love with risk, deosn't mean I'm miserable.
2007-12-26 21:23:09 · answer #5 · answered by tehabwa 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i think so because people find comfort in being a victim sometimes and will do things the hard way just because they like the misery in a way, not consciously though
2007-12-26 18:37:58 · answer #6 · answered by Snaps 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not me. I have Major Depression and would do anything, well just about anything to be happy. I don't even know what happy is anymore...
2007-12-26 18:36:30 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
He was referring to pessimists
2007-12-26 18:53:11 · answer #8 · answered by mindjob 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
no. totally disagree. that's for melancholics. am a sanguine.
2007-12-26 18:36:43 · answer #9 · answered by bugsy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no
2007-12-26 18:47:54 · answer #10 · answered by nickipettis 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋