A Possible Step Towards Happiness

 There exists a large population of people who habitually--and possibly naturally--feel badly for themselves. This is not as simple as it may seem though and differs for the oversimplification that we use when telling our children to quit feeling bad for themselves. Feeling badly for ourselves relates to repression of feelings and thoughts. Whenever we may feel that somebody has done us wrong, we may allow them to continuously do us wrong while we allow ourselves to maintain a victim-like position. Throughout the duration of our abuse, we begin to see ourselves as victims--which we are--and develop a pattern of allowing ourselves to be taken advantage of. As a defense, we may interpret it as US being good people and allowing ourselves to be abused to make others happier. This cycle can last forever and it may be one of the many walls that keep us from attaining the Globally Glorified Happiness. It may in fact be (and I say MAY BE because I am not sure but only offer this as a potential remedy) that ending our perceptions of ourselves as "victims" may lead to a happier, or at least freer, life. It is not excusable to allow others to take advantage or our kindness or our appreciation for the avoidance of conflict. It does not make us good people but, quite inversely, makes us just as thoughtless as those who abuse us. Besides, you cannot be of much help to this world if you keep yourself from your own happiness and freedom. I don't feel badly for you, and neither should you.