Perhaps because we are not quite connected to the wider culture (no TV, don't read people or bot's nasty posts), I did not perceive this abhorrence of joy and happiness. At least in Encinitas, where kids are fairly privileged, I noticed the one silver lining to covid: kids, freed from organized activities that was shut down during Covid and newly armed with electric bikes, are now seen going around in independent groups living like they are 1970s/1980s kids. Happiness is related to having play time (do silly things), time to connect with family and friends, time to do work meaningful to self, time to gift something to this world. Happiness is being able to slow down to notice and marvel at small things like dandelions, the mockingbird singing his song at 2 am, ice cream, coffee, chocolate.... so many things to be happy about. There are sad things too. But human survival depends on our ability to find humor and joy even when things are bleak.
I agree. My daughter seems to have the burden of guilt on her whenever she thinks about having fun. We are all here for such a short time and no, we can't end the suffering in the world. There is just too much of it. But yes. I will say that the new Elvis movie and the Top Gun movie are pure fun.
Perhaps because we are not quite connected to the wider culture (no TV, don't read people or bot's nasty posts), I did not perceive this abhorrence of joy and happiness. At least in Encinitas, where kids are fairly privileged, I noticed the one silver lining to covid: kids, freed from organized activities that was shut down during Covid and newly armed with electric bikes, are now seen going around in independent groups living like they are 1970s/1980s kids. Happiness is related to having play time (do silly things), time to connect with family and friends, time to do work meaningful to self, time to gift something to this world. Happiness is being able to slow down to notice and marvel at small things like dandelions, the mockingbird singing his song at 2 am, ice cream, coffee, chocolate.... so many things to be happy about. There are sad things too. But human survival depends on our ability to find humor and joy even when things are bleak.
I agree. My daughter seems to have the burden of guilt on her whenever she thinks about having fun. We are all here for such a short time and no, we can't end the suffering in the world. There is just too much of it. But yes. I will say that the new Elvis movie and the Top Gun movie are pure fun.