It was widely reported yesterday that Heath Ledger was found dead. Suicide was ruled out, but sleeping pills were found by his side. The news stated he had not been sleeping well for the past few months and the pills only worked for a few hours at a time. Maybe he so desperate for sleep and peace he took too many.
It made me think Western society seems to have gotten itself on the treadmill of bigger, better, faster, richer, and just plain more. Heath seemed to have it all; wealth, fame, fortune. Yet, it was also reported he was unhappy. Maybe that’s why he couldn’t quiet his mind.
Joe Vitale wrote a great blog on choosing happiness. Happiness is a conscious choice we make. We need to be happy now with what we have and who we are while striving to better ourselves and reach our goals. It’s not about the money, cars, homes, etc. It’s about Being. Being here, Being happy.
Remember, we are Human Beings, not Human Doings. Maybe Heath was Doing too much and never had a chance to Be. Don’t let your chance pass you by. Just Be.
January 28th, 2008 at 11:45 am
I think that everyone wants to be happy but if a person is suffering from depression that is very hard. There can be a element of profound sadness which can not be explained. In this case wanting to be happy is not enough. In many cases the depression is caused from early trauma and abuse.
January 28th, 2008 at 11:55 am
I wasn’t trying to diminish trauma or abuse. The point I was making was most people that should be happy - wonderful family, nice home, good job, etc. - aren’t and that happiness is a choice.
Even if one is depressed, making the conscious choice to be happy is a step in the right direction because if you make that choice, even if you are not happy now, you are focussing on what you want to attract into your life which is happiness. Many other steps and treatments may be required, but if you never even make the decision to be happy, you never can be.