stolen from drkangel
Happiness is a chemical imbalance? Sounds crazy, huh? Well, it is; and it isn't. You see, the medical community has been telling us for years that depression is caused by a chemical imbalance; yet, for all their chemicals, they haven't been able to balance the scales. The plain and simple truth is that, if depression did start with chemistry, then chemistry would correct it in every case; and it doesn't. In fact, placebos are as effective as any anti-depression drug on the market; which simply means that the medical community has NO CLUE about the true nature of depression - but they're willing to experiment with drugs that are only lethal some of the time. So, what's the difference between happiness and depression?
You'd think that, if they found a cure for depression, it would be a recipe for happiness, as well. In fact, anti-depressants are often called, "Happy Pills." But that's not happiness; people on anti-depressants look, act, sound, and feel like people on anti-depressants - not like happy people. A person taking medicine for depression doesn't look like anything other than a depressed person on drugs. We need to start thinking about depression with a little more basic logic and common sense - which, as it turns out, is not so common. Remember, placebos work extremely well with depression; and it is the mind that makes a placebo work. The mind can cure depression; because the mind causes it.
Let's start with basics. You've seen depressed people (maybe in the mirror!); and, you've seen elated people. But you've also seen people who seem very calm and centered - taking everything in with as little judgment as possible - like a Buddhist monk, or a peaceful baby, for example. There is a place that is neither "happy," nor "sad;" this is a state of peace and contentment - which, though not excited elation, it isn't sadness, either. A person with this degree of emotional self-management - able to maintain an emotional calm, centered state - sits comfortably on the line between elation and depression. This person's head and heart are above that line; while their feet remain firmly grounded in reality. These people know there are troubles in the world; but they choose other thoughts for themselves and don't worry about things they cannot positively influence. This is completely a matter of emotional self-management through the use of the mind.