positive emotions - alive why

positive emotions

positive emotions are not much of a problem
when you have them
but the search for them is what causes problems
extreme examples of this are
mental illness
drug abuse
crime

for all of these three problems
the origin is the search for happiness

in mental illness the search for happiness becomes too desperate
and this then interferes with finding happiness
especially in finding the affirmation of others
which is a prime means to happiness
many err in being too desperate
and the search for happiness done in desperation results in failure

with drug abuse it is obvious that
the search for happiness/elation/euphoria/ecstasy
is the driver
and this has inevitable consequences
which most of us manage
by putting limits on our use
those who abuse drugs don't do limits well
the driver is still the search for positive emotion

crime involves seeking positive emotion
but using short cuts that deprive others of entitlement to happiness
the driver is still the search for positive emotion
even the psychopathic hit man or dictator
derives pleasure from power over and control of others
as power is a function linked strongly to emotions
having power generates positive emotion
being powerless generates negative emotion

all the vicious dictators and genocidal maniacs the world has spawned
got their pleasure in this way
no one would deny the strange pleasure of power over others
most of us tend to rein it
the driver for these maniacs
is still happiness
no matter how cruelly it is found