Have you noticed that some of the most intelligent and deep thinking individuals out there fail to be happy?
They may have a loving life partner, family, and be successful in their job; yet, there is something that occasionally makes them feel alone, sad, and discouraged. As Ernest Hemingway said, “Happiness in intelligent people is the rarest thing I know.”
Here are six possible reasons why happiness in highly intelligent people is such a rare phenomenon:
1. Intelligent people overanalyze everything
Many people with a high IQ tend to be overthinkers who constantly analyze everything happening in their life and beyond. This can be draining at times, especially when your thinking processes take you to undesirable, frustrating conclusions.
Have you heard the saying, ‘Ignorance is bliss’? It surely is – the less you understand, the more carefree and, therefore, happy you are. Being able to read people’s true selves and hidden motives is enough to make you feel disappointed with the whole world sometimes. Not even mentioning the feelings that come along with the reflection on philosophical matters, global issues, and life’s timeless dilemmas that have no solutions.
2. Intelligent people have high standards
Smart people know what they want and don’t settle for less than that, no matter what area of life we are talking about. This means that it’s more difficult for them to be satisfied with their achievements, relationships, and literally everything that has a place in their life.
Moreover, many people with brilliant theoretical minds happen to have poor practical intelligence and somehow idealistic views of the world. So when their expectations face the raw reality of life and other people, it inevitably leads to disappointment.
3. Intelligent people are too hard on themselves
Another reason why smart people fail to be happy is that they tend to be too strict with themselves. And here, I’m not talking only about one’s achievements and failures. Intelligent, deep thinking individuals often analyze themselves and their own behavior in such a rigorous manner as if they are intentionally seeking out things to blame themselves for.
Sometimes, you just lie there in your bed trying to fall asleep and suddenly recall a situation (which probably happened years or, at least, months ago) when you didn’t act the way you should have. This is enough to mess with your sleep and spoil your mood.
Intelligent people often experience such kind of flashbacks into their past mistakes. All this cultivates guilt, discontent, and other negative emotions that can poison one’s happiness.
4. Reality is not enough
People with high IQs never cease to seek something bigger – a pattern, a meaning, a purpose. The deepest and the dreamiest of them don’t stop there – their restless mind and imagination don’t let them just relax and enjoy “the good things in life.” I guess the reality with its trivialities is just too boring for them. Such people crave for something fantastic, idealistic, eternal… and, of course, never find it in the real world.
Have you ever felt like you don’t belong here and should have lived in a different era or maybe on another planet? Deep thinking, highly intelligent people constantly feel this way. How can you be happy when you feel like a stranger to the world you live in?
5. Lack of deep communication and understanding
Being truly understood by someone is one of the greatest experiences a human being can have. How comforting it is to sit with a like-minded person somewhere quiet and have a meaningful conversation, realizing that this person understands your ideas and shares your views of the world…
Sadly, intelligent people rarely have this pleasure. Many of them feel alone and misunderstood, like if no one is able to see and appreciate the depth of their minds.
One study found that in order to be happy, individuals with high IQs need less socialization than those with average levels of intelligence. However, it doesn’t mean that smart people don’t crave human interaction and a good conversation. They simply prefer to talk about fascinating and meaningful things rather than discuss food, weather, and one’s plans for the weekend.
No need to say that nowadays, it’s particularly difficult to find a person to have a deep conversation with. Thank today’s consumerist and materialist society for that.
6. Many people with a high IQ suffer from psychological problems
There have been many studies that link psychiatric disorders, such as social anxiety and bipolar, with high IQs. Could it be that these conditions are a kind of a side effect of a creative genius and a brilliant mind? Who knows, science is yet to unravel the mysteries of the human mind.
At the same time, the intelligent people who don’t suffer from any mental disorders are still prone to so-called existential depression, which often is a result of excessive thinking.
If you are thinking all the time and analyze everything in depth, at some point, you start reflecting on life, death, and the meaning of existence. Sometimes, it’s enough to make you want to re-evaluate your own life and, as a result, get sad for no obvious reason.
Can you relate to the struggles described in this article? What other things, in your opinion, make intelligent people fail to be happy? Share your thoughts with us.
I live all that situations describet above. But I am not intelligente. I always need a lot of time to understand the tasks or to learn some material. I was always bad in math and physics. I think this is a description of a dreamer who doesn’t know how to belong to the world.
hi Jane, the truth is that I was not sure what term to use to describe those people I’m referring to in my article: intelligent people, dreamers, deep people, deep thinkers.. I believe that all of these categories could relate to the struggles described in the article. But eventually, I decided to use the word ‘intelligent people,’ inspired by Ernest Hemingway’s quote 🙂
by the way, the fact that you are not good at math and physics and don’t think/learn fast doesn’t mean that you are not intelligent! intelligence is a complex thing.
b4 you consider urself 2 not b intelligent see this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVEdhOBQFz8
i’m not sure if i would categorize myself as intelligent or that i have high IQ, but this article is so spot-on that i have to leave my feedback. excellent work.
thank you! 🙂 intelligence is not always only about the IQ, as there are different types of intelligence. for example, check out this article that describes 9 types of intelligence:
http://www.learning-mind.com/types-of-intelligence/
I have always been trying to pen down these facts without sounding self centered. This article very aptly brings the struggles and facts of a person who is a thinker or evaluator. Everything mentioned here is very true and I cannot disagree to this. Well done Anna!!
thank you Parboti!
This article is good. Maybe in the next one some ideas about who those with such minds can learn to take care of themselves and actually be happy. First comes the decision to be happy. Then listening to their mind and noticing where its going, then comes a letting go of the minute analysis. Just some ideas.
hi Margaret, please check our this article, it offers some solutions to deep thinking individuals who feel alone and misunderstood:
http://www.learning-mind.com/feel-alone-and-misunderstood/
Hi Margaret, I recently attended an 8-week mindfulness meditation class. It doesn’t happen overnight. It’s been over a year for me now and I’m starting to notice some inprovement.
As a conclusion, intelligent people expect intelligence from others and get disappointed…
Wow. That makes total sense as to how approach your daily life. Thank you that really seems to have made things look easier, the revelation of the expectation. Sometimes something so simple is invisible.
Sometime my good mood changed into worst because of my deep thinking about Life.
exist a place where we find people like us were we can talk or be understanding. Is be nice to have friends like that. (si existe un lugar donde pueda encontrar personas como las que explica el articulo y uno pueda hablar y te entiendad seria lindo tener amistades asi)…. thanks 🙂
one of our readers created this group on fb, inspired by my earlier article about deep thinkers 🙂
check it out – https://www.facebook.com/groups/354842794862734/
Good article, and a confirmation of beliefs I long suspected. Now the solution to all this is…?
hi Steve, please check our this article, it offers some solutions to deep thinking individuals who feel alone and misunderstood:
http://www.learning-mind.com/feel-alone-and-misunderstood/
I recognised myself in all those 6 points, and I know I’m intelligent, I qualified to join Mensa, the international high IQ society, which only accepts the top 2% of the population after supervised IQ tests. There are times when I am the life & soul of the party, but that’s rare, usually I’m quiet and sit back because I’m either bored stiff & in deep thought, or just really dislike the occasion and am only there to support my loved one. It made me feel so much better about myself when I read this article. Thank you so much, I’ve thought for such a long time there was something wrong with me, it’s great to know there isn’t.
This is an excellent article! It’s like I wrote it myself.
Bipolar 1, anxiety disorder, intermittent rage disorder, 132 IQ, and everything else described.
I’m going to have my therapist read this. Thank you so much!
I must assume you to be an intelligent person having written a very apt description of the difficulties of being highly intelligent. Out of respect for your intelligence, let me offer a few points to ponder.
Argument 1. “Ignorance is bliss.” Indeed it is, yet John Stewart Mills put forth the argument that it is better to be a sad Socrates than a happy swine. He believed Socrates to have the ability to achieve a depth of experience not available to the swine.
Argument 2. High Standards. The “idealistic view” of the world is persistent in those high in intellect and low in wisdom. The truly great mind knows that it can never know and finds peace, and perhaps joy, in the mystery itself.
Argument 3. Too Hard on Themselves. Perhaps. But then, where is that line to be drawn? Self-criticism can be a wonderful motivator for brilliance to push itself to its sublime limits.
Argument 4. Reality is Not Enough. I have to wonder what is this “reality,” and by what means is it limited so as to be perceived as not enough?
Argument 5. Not Understood. Perhaps it is indeed better, as St. Francis said,, “To understand rather than be understood. To comfort rather than be comforted. To love rather than be loved.”
Argument 6. Psychological Problems. Here I must defer to Jiddu Krishnamurti, It is no measure of health to be well-adjusted to a profoundly sick society.”
I offer these perspectives for the truly intelligent, deep thinker. I have found them useful if one indeed wants to be that “rarest of all things.”
Hi Charles, I completely agree with all of your points. I didn’t write this article to show that it sucks to be an intelligent person – I described these struggles so that other people who experience them too feel that they are not alone in this.
Charles, don’t you think “Happiness” is rarest of all things, one indeed wants to be really an intelligent ??
Charles,
I agree with number 6. Psychological problem is a relative term. If the intelligent person seems odd to the less intelligent I would tend to agree with the former as being the one with the better grasp on reality.
While these traits may exist in intelligent people, I imagine that they also exist individually in many different types of people.
Some are aspects of personality disorders as well.
Like you I also have to question the validity of this information? Is it from a study?
Hi Matthew, you can find the information about the link between high levels of intelligence and psychological problems (with references to scientific studies) in this article:
http://www.learning-mind.com/psychiatric-disorders-high-iq/
I can relate myself with those 6 points, Yes I feel alone between my friends but deep inside I feel happy for being conscious every moment or to overthink. I love to analyse every situation irrespective of past present future.
Found this article very interesting and those fans who answered all had salient points. Common sense is highly underrated and sadly missing in some very well educated individuals, especially in the younger generation. Perhaps it comes from life’s experiences.
Thank you Anna, it is always comforting to share thoughts with like minded people, which we very rarely find in the world surrounding us.
I agree with all the points you mentioned, but to truely find mental satisfaction and end this mental gymnastics and related suffering, I think there is no other way than to make it to the very end of all questions-I.e, seeking enlighyenment.i am quite sure all genuine seekers in the spiritual world experience these problems and choose spirituality as no other path provides enduring solution.
I agree with all the points that have been mentioned. Adding to them that people often feel less and gelous when they have discussions with an intelligent person and their low self-esteem appears clearly on their face, which results a kind of hatred that can not be described by the intelligent person as the reasons are not obvious or hidden. So, the negative motives make the intelligent person feel sad and unwanted.
I think you can add ADHD to #6. Great article.
this article almost perfectly describes me .i think too much of scenarios in the world and even imagine worst case scenarios for future and develop fears about it and i am almost in pursuit of an answer for why this universe got created why this life and all come to my mind,
Thanks a lot. It gave me some answers. This is it. This is comlex of why I feel like I feel. I feel better when I’m reading something deep. Some article that give me impulse, that give me kind of security.
I excelled in education. I think I fit the bill perfectly. I have trouble forming and maintaining relationships and have a false sort of character that flourish when social convention dictates – even then I come across as unsocial and ‘uncultured’. I do feel that I am on the moral high ground in comparison to the rest of society. Thus, there is a paradox I face with solitude, it is both extremely comforting but simulataneously incredibly miserable. Even when there are social events that are small and only about me, I feel that my family are wrongfully taking ownership of my achievements which I can’t fully appreciate my accomplishing of. I also hate it when they brag about them to my distant relatives whom I barely know. I am definitely too hard on myself and often sulk over the decisions I’ve made, and it can even be over matters that are very trivial. It made me feel good that there are people like me out there! I have a history of depression and anxiety too, and at the moment both are pretty bad A big, big thank you to the author for writing this article
“Intelligent” seems to be such an ambiguous word to describe some level of “smartness” in people. I relate to all of the above things listed but at the same time I’m sure everyone else does to some degree, though I’m not sure if you were writing this with a specific group of people in mind. I think what you’re doing is describing more of the human condition rather than intelligence.
that’s right Bryan, I was not sure what term to use to describe those people I’m referring to in my article: intelligent people, dreamers, deep people, deep thinkers.. I believe that all of these categories could relate to the struggles described in the article. But eventually, I decided to use the word ‘intelligent people,’ inspired by Ernest Hemingway’s quote.
What a brief but yet coherent article, thank you so much. I identify with it, and I am guilty of over-thinking and not “living in the moment”. I get bored by meaningless discussions about silly and pitiful things as well as routine social activities, I guess I am a misfit and an “anti-socialite”. I’m always locked up inside thoughts and studying how the world works. Ironically, the more I learn and increase my knowlage, the less I wish I knew because everything seems helpless because people are too busy “living in the moment” and being entertain by mediocre TV programmes etc. And I’m never satisfied with any of my achievements and actually feel that people who congratulate me too much are distracting me and trying to poison me with complacency.
This article almost directly emphasizes the source of my depression, even being an adolescent in highschool. However, one addition to this website that might greatly contribute to others, is that I have found that many other people with a similar intellectual capability, often find themselves in the situation of being miserable around those who are of average intelligence, as do I.
totally agree with you! there is an older article of mine that is focused on this specific problem:
http://www.learning-mind.com/feel-alone-and-misunderstood/
A great article! It is comforting to learn I’m not alone, I feel so alone with it. One of my greatest desires is a friend who’s interested in topics of which we could share discussions. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and insight.
This article is great, i often tend to lean to these things, but i am happy to confirm i’m slowly learning to handle these struggles.
I’ll definitely check out more on this site.
Very hard to find someone to talk to that can grasp alternate ramifications of different topics. Even harder to find someone that onderstands just how basic life is and that most of their challenges are created by themselves.
Life is strangely lonely come naidering how many people are in my life.
people have always said i think too much, but if it wasn’t for thought i would of ended up living a life of crime, apparently i scare people because of my perception and ability to read people’s thoughts(even though i am unaware that’s what i’m doing) i have longed to connect to someone on a deeper level but even at 54 it has been something beyond me
however i would like to add, that through perseverance and endurance, and eventually self acceptance i fell in love with reality, once you no longer need to escape yourself you are so much more free
Hi I’m from South Africa and I can relate with all of it. I’ve had a photographic memory since I was a child and sometimes (most times tbh) intelligent people are treated with downright pervasiveness and it’s a bummer. It will get you down. However there is hope as I’ve been focusing on “gettin’ happy’ lately and made great strides. I hope you other brainiacs out there reading this will know that everything will be OK! Great articleAnna Lemind!
*substance abuse
Everything is so “Spot On” Anna. I am still trying to find a person to discuss all this. I would say I am killing my self. There is nothing left for me. Deep very deep !!!! Everything you have mentioned in this article is correct. I want to leave this bias, double standard world.
one of our readers created this group on fb, inspired by my earlier article about deep thinkers.
check it out – https://www.facebook.com/groups/354842794862734/
I’m sure that you will find some like-minded individuals there!
I believe this author to be on point. As noted above, it is difficult to define the population of people that have these traits by such a pedestrian term as “intelligent” as I am sure that there are plenty of intelligent people that don’t manifest any of the characteristic above. Understanding what makes you ‘tick’ is a first critical step in learning to how live with yourself and that begins with introspection. Remember the Greek aphorism “Know thyself.” And for the martial artists out there, the 4th precept of Funakoshi: “First know yourself before attempting to know others.”
I agree with you that it’s difficult to define these people with one specific term. When writing this article, I was not sure what term to use to describe them: intelligent people, dreamers, deep people, deep thinkers.. I believe that all of these categories could relate to the struggles described in the article. But eventually, I decided to use the word ‘intelligent people,’ inspired by Ernest Hemingway’s quote.
I feel like you just fully described me up there although i do not believe that I am intelligent (Im not Einstein so to speak). But all the symptoms are me deep down, i always wonder and question my existence and reality, i am extremely idealistic, think greatly about the world, read a lot about history and compare it with our present which makes it very frustrating, and i always feel that i do not belong to anyone or any place even to my family and the people i know. I tried many things, I’ve been to lot of events, outings anything trying to discover myself and I travel a lot. I even am living in another country than my own, i’ve seen a lot of places and people from different backgrounds, cultures, religions, walks of life etc… and still i always feel that i do not belong to any of that maybe except when playing with animals. For others, i try to go out and meet people every now and then and try to fit into the society and be a socialising person, but when i go out like to a party i enjoy the first 30 mins and then i get bored and feel like i’m just an actor acting in a movie and that nothing of that seems real to me…
It’s really frustrating and very tiring, I always ask myself why i am here on this earth, what’s my purpose, i always feel that i have huge energy trapped inside that needs to go out and do something useful with it. I tried to explain myself to people around me like my mom but yet my message is not clear to her, she always feels i’m depressed or sad because i’m still single (i am 33 years old), yes it might a reason but its just a portion of the main story, it’s because i always feel that i do not fit anywhere and still i did not accomplish anything meaningful in my life (although i’m currently finishing masters in software engineering).
Do you have any idea how to stop all that?
please check our this article, it offers some solutions to deep thinking individuals who feel alone and misunderstood:
http://www.learning-mind.com/feel-alone-and-misunderstood/
hope you will find it helpful.
So live shallow lives, don’t think too deeply about anything and you’ll live happy superficial lives.
Gee, sign me up!
hi Harry, of course not! I didn’t write this article to show that it sucks to be an intelligent person – I described these struggles so that other people who experience them too feel that they are not alone in this.
In light of number 3, I think it’s hilarious that the first few comments are people saying “This is me, but I’m not intelligent.” Anyhow, I’ve read similar articles attributing these traits to introverts. I’m curious, do you have a theory as to why? Is there evidence of a connection between introversion/extroversion and intelligence?
There does seem to be a connection, based on point number 5 here where it talks about how intelligent people generally prefer to be alone – there’s a link to a short article about a study on this. Doesn’t exactly answer the question in itself, but it does show a connection!
For me, I do consider myself intelligent and definitely show many of these symptoms (for want of a better word). However, I find I really really don’t like being alone. Buuuuuuut, while I’m at my happiest when I’m with my very closest friends, when I’m with people I’m less close to, that’s when the feelings of “not fitting in” start to kick in, and being alone is definitely preferable to that. I wonder if that is in some way the cause of the link between introversion and intelligence?
hi Max, I’ve only heard about a scientifically confirmed connection between social anxiety and high IQs. You can learn more about it here:
http://www.learning-mind.com/social-anxiety-may-be-associated-with-high-iq-and-empathetic-ability/
Maybe introverts tend to have higher IQs because their brains are overstimulated and they are more focused on their inner world.
Besides the highly intelligent part……I would call it awakened for me……I cannot believe how these have hit the bulls eye for me. Thank you so much for your profound insight. It made me laugh and brought tears to my eyes. My Hubby said we should print it. Feeling gratitude for Anna LeMind. hugs
I can relate to every single word, which is just making me sad on one hand, but glad on the other to feel that I’m not alone. I just wish there were some remedies for this condition because sometimes the inside pain is so strong it becomes physical, mostly in the stomach area. Also I think part of these people are potentially suicidal
Great article… Now that these attributes are highlighted. Do you have any suggestions to get over these and become more happier. That will be helpful
I believe that intelligence without wisdom is a cup that’s half filled. Happiness is a state of mind. Balance is the key to happiness. This includes nourishing the soul. Finding our inner self and loving ourselves. It is a process that creates possibility from impossibility. Many intelligent people are ignorant or skeptical of spirituality.
Just cause a fish can’t climb a tree does not by any means make the fish dumb. In todays world schools don’t deal to well with teaching kids like me who get bored easily. Lose concentration fast. Unless they grab my attention and give me something hands on. Books aren’t for everyone yet thats how we learn,one teacher And many books. In 1st grade I couldn’t read to save my life. So they tried hooked on phonix by 2nd grade I was good heck come 3rd grade I was at college level reading. Just depends on the individual. I’m a highscool drop out. Yet I plated gold parts for the Nasa space station. Anodized type 2 hard coated parts for again the space station. I’ve done work on heat seaking missle circuit boards again gold plating. Did a lot. But To society I’m nothing more than a lame. What she wrote above I think is for many different types of people. Basically all thats stated above is what I tend to deal with. Yet I to don’t always learn right away sometimes it takes time or I ask alot of questions. Why cause I’m very articulate and observant I have to understand the process in and out before It just snaps in my head and bam I got it. I can never seem to pass algebra simply cause it’s a simplified form of math for everything you learned before algebra. Well thats not enough for me why go and mess up what already works.its faster for some not all. Just give me the problem to solve. I don’t see the need to problem solve in math souly cause we learn that from infants. Its how we all succeed and grow. I could go on and on. Government controls the schools the books the ways we get tought why for many reasons. But does it not make sense to have generation’s of people only becoming smarter so intelligent that we no longer see the need for A Government breathing down our necks walking us like puppets. Welcome to the Instant gratification century maybe we need this in order for us all to be humbled. Ill end it there
Sometimes society appears so transparent & when you can see the motives behind everything & ‘the veil’ is removed it can’t be put back. The common activities like tv, radio, movies & even food lose their appeal & you start looking for a deeper meaning or enjoyment that just can’t be found in fake consumeristic society. The best recharge is found in nature where boredom simply does not exist. Everything is new in every moment… The present moment
if this article could kill im already murdered. hahah. not saying am intelligent but I can relate to all descriptions given…
Same here Jenn. I found it actually kind of freaky that I could relate to all these symptoms.
A very complex subject indeed, one that isn’t easily understood. In order for a highly functioning individual to really come to terms with their gift, they must must first free themslves of any and all pre-conceived notions of what it means to be highly intelligent to begin with. This is not a “one size fits all” issue in the slightest; we are all unique individuals, what works for one or even ten will not work for all.
The best any of us can do, highly functional or not, is to learn about ourselves as individuals and go from there. Neither consciousness nor the intellect are fixed, neither are static in any way. Both most be developed and broadened one day at a time. After nearly twenty years of insight and study into this issue, my best conclusion thus far is what I stated above: we as individuals exist ( at least in part) to learn more about ourselves as conscious beings, yet not so much as human beings. No one that I know of lives forever, so while the human aspect is important, it is very much secondary to who and what we are at that deeper level. This isn’t about religion or spirituality or even science, it’s about self discovery and finding answers to those important questions regarding existence. Each of us are responsible for finding our own answers, no one else can do it for us and really no one else should want to.
Maybe it’s not just about being intelligent, but also having high emotional quocient EQ, being a deep thinker and a deep feeler.
Was once at a MENSA dinner and the question went round the table if you could swap 10 IQ points for an improvement in something else what would it be. Some wanted athletic ability, some looks, some health, but when it got to me I said just taking them would most likely make me happier. Most likely knocking off the next 20 as well would be an even bigger improvement.
Number 5 is a very real thing and the existential depression comes in part from sitting there like Cassandra in Troy knowing how things are going to play out and not being able to convince other people so you can stop it. A life of watching a train wreck in slow motion.
How each word I read seemed like I uttered those to describe myself. Sometimes its difficult to accept our personality beacuse people keep cribing about how boring we are just because we arent joining their small talks. Kudos to you 🙂
This article is worth reading.Thank u so much for sharing it. I also had all above mentioned traits in me. But know i am trying to be like a normal human being so that i can enjoy life ( I am not saying that i was extraordinary before). On a lighter note, I wanna ask, that if I minimize above mentioned characteristics. would I become less intelligent? haha
I don’t think you should try and change yourself to feel like “a normal human being”. Whatever that is. I think the problem is that people who relate to this article don’t hang out together. You just need to find people like you.
Thanks for your interesting article Anna. Your thoughts on this simile?
” Piece Of Cake
If you still have happiness & still have suffering,you are someone who is still not yet full. It’s as if you’re eating a piece of your favorite cake, but before you can finish eating it, it falls out of your hand. You regret the loss, don’t you? When you feel the loss, you suffer, don’t you? So you need to throw away both happiness & suffering. They’re only food for those who are not yet full.
In truth, happiness is suffering in disguise, but in such a subtle form that you don’t see it. If you cling to happiness, it’s the same as clinging to suffering, but you don’t realize it.
So be careful! When happiness arises, don’t be overjoyed, don’t get carried away. When suffering comes, don’t despair, don’t lose yourself in it. See that happiness & suffering have the same equal value.” -A Collection of Ajahn Chah’s Similes
I found this really interesting, I agree that suffering is not something to run from, the value of suffering. Equally, I think a lot the problem is the weight of introspection.
So many people with high IQ are concerned with their own achievement and happiness.
What about accepting responsibility for other people’s happiness? I am not talking about creating dependency or absolving the responsibility we have for creating the lives we envision.
On a simple level we have the power to make other people laugh. On more complex issues, we can also choose to teach, to engage with discourse against violence and hate, to help in the fight towards global health and a healthy environment, to fight against misinformation. Is it really a high IQ if you do not find ways towards action?
I think, starting small and helping others, alleviates own and others’ suffering, and creates the meaning people are looking for.
So you cannot find meaning, you create it.
I am writing from my own experience and I am much happier for it.
Very interested to hear thoughts on this matter.
this is why “intelligent People” mostly are addicted to drugs…..
Intelligent, bipolar, existentialist – this is me in a nutshell! These points are so spot on it’s scary.
I often think that life would be easier and I would be happier if I could dumb down. Stupid people are certainly happier in my opinion!
Excellent Anna . Thank you. If I may ,there is one element that has been omitted in this conversation and that is ones level of spiritual understanding. NOTE.: I didn’t say “religion” although it often serves the purpose as the foundation for the peace Found in the understanding of the world. You know the saying…. ” pain or suffering” makes a man think…. Thinking makes a man wise…. Wisdoms makes life bearable .!! 😊 Thank you again for this article