In my last post, I wrote about the possibility of limitless happiness. Yet a natural question arises: how can one be happy while at the same time being deeply concerned about the state of the environment, the decline of endangered species, the violence in our communities, and the corruption in our governments?
Isn’t happiness naïve in such a world? Doesn’t empathy for suffering lead to anguish?
The paradox is real. To care deeply is to open ourselves to pain. But it does not mean we must drown in it.
Pain Without Suffering
When we witness a forest burning or hear of another endangered species sliding closer to extinction, we feel pain because we care. That pain is a sign of compassion, not a flaw. But suffering often comes when we resist reality, or when we believe we must single-handedly fix it all.
The first step is to allow pain to inform us without letting it consume us. Pain can be a guide; suffering need not be the outcome.
From Angst to Purpose
The weight of the world becomes lighter when empathy is channeled into action. Instead of despair, we can let our concern inspire us to:
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Educate and uplift others.
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Protect what remains of our natural heritage.
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Speak out against injustice and corruption.
Action turns angst into purpose. And purpose nourishes joy.
Holding Two Truths
Life is never just one thing. The world is filled with cruelty and destruction. But it is also filled with wonder, beauty, and love.
The trick is to hold both truths without collapsing into either despair or denial. A sunrise, the laughter of a child, the gaze of an orangutan—all remind us that beauty persists even in dark times. Happiness grows in the soil of gratitude.
Fierce Compassion
True compassion is not weak; it is fierce. It means:
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Feeling deeply, but not drowning.
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Acting strongly, but not hating.
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Protecting fiercely, while maintaining inner stillness.
This balance allows us to engage with the world’s pain without being broken by it.
Inner Sanctuaries
To sustain happiness, we must create daily sanctuaries of renewal. For me, it might be a walk in the park with my wife, time spent in quiet reflection, or the joy of writing stories that connect humans with the lives of orangutans.
For you, it may be meditation, music, gardening, or time with loved ones. These practices refill the well from which compassion flows.
A Longer View
The challenges we face—deforestation, climate change, crime, corruption—do not resolve overnight. They unfold over generations. Remembering this can free us from the urgency that breeds despair. Every action, however small, bends the arc toward healing.
Happiness as Steadfast Ground
Ultimately, our happiness need not depend on the outcome of global struggles. It arises from living in alignment with our values. By cultivating joy within, we are not retreating from the world but strengthening our ability to serve it.
Happiness, then, is not a denial of suffering—it is the soil that allows compassion and action to flourish.
The lesson is simple but profound:
We can be happy and deeply concerned. We can feel the pain of the world without being consumed by it. By anchoring ourselves in purpose, gratitude, and inner stillness, we sustain the happiness that allows us to keep giving, keep protecting, and keep loving—even in an imperfect world.
