I would say I am a realist, I have been bumped and bruised by life. I've been clinically depressed. I don't think I look at myself with rose colored glasses. I have very few illusions. My experience is that things do tend to get better. My mantra is "this too shall pass" and of course that includes the good stuff too. I also acknowledge that life is a bitch, and dying takes a long time. However, life is what you make it. There are moments of absolute beauty and goodness in your life if you look for them.I think life has great meaning. I think it depends on what you choose to focus on. My outlook is we're here, sometimes it is going to be hard, and sometimes it is going to be amazing. Focus on the amazing stuff and deal with the hard crud when it comes. I think in the end there is more good than crap.

Taoism basically states the opposite. You can look at the hard uglies of life but train yourself to see even the beautiful in that.. in the end, reality itself is a self made illusion. (Likely that makes no sense.. but im cool with that too lol )

Happiness is not a delusion. Born an ebullient optimist, I feel happy despite injuries and traumatic experiences.

Exercise floods us with endorphins that make us feel happy.

We can choose our reactions and behavior. If I feel hurt by criticism, I try to listen for the kernel of truth, learn from it and let the bad feelings go.

Grudge-holding only hurts the person holding the grudge. As a forgiving person, I still set boundaries with people. And surround myself with positive people.

In the last photo, I was sick of him taking my photo. I set a boundary with humor.

All of this contributes to feeling happy.

Photos

1. Hiking in a heat wave (90s), I was thrilled to find a shady glade. Threw myself down on the moss, pack and all. Above Stevens Pass, WA.

2. Delighted to be hiking a shady trail in a heat wave (90s). Chiwaukum Creek, Eastern WA.

3 & 4. Hiking to Ingalls Lake. Mt. Stuart is behind me. Eastern WA.

Yes.

I would say positivity is a mind set that some people have and others do not. I think I see the world in a realistic fashion, I'm aware of my shortcomings and I'm aware of what's pretty crap about the world, I'm also aware of what is just amazing and a lot of stuff in between.

I am not mildly or modestly depressive and if scientific research suggest that I am because I'm a realist then I would challenge the validity of the research.