Is it possible to be a deep thinker AND happy?

Question: Is it possible to be a deep thinker AND happy!?

When I start to think deeply about life and such, I get depressed!. I also hear a lot about how people with higher intelligence are normally more depressed!. Just wondering if its possible to be a deep thinker and be happy!. Anyone care to respond!?Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

Often, it's just about connecting with someone who understands and can show recognition for what you're thinking!. Sometimes it's the feelings of isolation that can lead to anxious thoughts and a negative mindset!. Chilling out with someone in a bar, or out in the open somewhere, having stimulating conversations is the nice part of being a deep thinker!.

People who think outside the box, or have high intelligence can sometimes feel very isolated in society!. They could also be high achievers if they have channeled their talents into being a great artist or revolutionary scientist!. There could be extreme periods of high and lows!.

On a more regular level, I find that the more control you have in your life, the less the troubled thoughts can dominate your mind!. Following a sensible diet, exercising, working, playing etc!., are part of a scheduled life and ideally one should be adhering to such!. It's focusing on what is in your control, and learning not to worry about what is outside of your control!. Procrastination and insomnia are the negatives, and if you are engaging in deep thought when you are meant to be doing an activity or sleeping, then surely you will start to feel down!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Yes, absolutely, it's possible to be a deep thinker and happy at the same time!.

I suggest that you begin tonight to keep a gratitude journal!. It can be something as simple as a note book with a list of all the things you have to be grateful for today!. The list can be as short as three items or as long as twenty items!. It can look something like this:

Gratitude Journal
grateful for healthy body
grateful for the good food I had to eat today
grateful to have a job/income

Get into the habit of writing down at least three things daily that you feel grateful for and you'll never be depressed again!. I guarantee Then you can think as deeply as you wish!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Ever since I was child, people lauded me for being deep, but I've never really been happy!. And in my experience, most people who I'd say were deep thinkers tended to be unhappy!. But I've also known some very deep and intelligent people who seemed very happy!. I envied them, in a way!.

So, as far as I know, deep thinkers can be happy but they usually aren't because their recognition of all that is not ideal in life leaves them depressed and longing for a better world!. I guess the key to happiness is to be content with with life as it is, flaws and all!. But it's not easy!. I have yet to figure out how!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I am a scientist, writer and atheist so I get paid for thinking deeply!. I am also very happy!.

Many shallow thinkers, such as fundamentalist religists, are very unhappy, as you can see by the bitter angry responses they give on the R&S section!. Similarly, some are happy!.

So I don't see a valid connection!.

From observation, the most unhappy people are the rich and famous!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Yeah, I think it is possible!. It depends on the personality of the person!.

But there is merit to what you were saying!. I am seeing the same thing!. Given everything equal (intelligence, skepticism, education, exposure to facts, etc!.) I bet it is more likely for deep thinkers to conclude that there is no meaning to life; we got here out of coincidence, we will go at some point, and our existence will be gone forever!. Nothingness is quite a depressing fact to swallow!. On the other hand, people who don't think too much may just be ignorantly happier; or, some others resort to religions as crutches of consolation and sources of hope!.

I have accepted the fact that there is no meaning in life!. All I can do is define my very own purpose in life so the short time I have is well spent!. Sometimes I think that what matters is whether or not I'll smile on my death bed knowing that I did something good!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Perhaps they get that way because they center too much attention on the limits of man's abilities and intelligence compounded with man's mortality!. A deep thinking person would not take his way of thinking overly serious!. He even takes necessary time outs by taking a mental vacation and just enjoying himself with physical activity like hiking or biking or walking!. Or he may even play a musical instrument and have fun doing so!.

Think deeply but never forget your humanity!. And have fun with the ones you with!. Especially those that are closest to you!.

That my friend is a sound recipe for being a deep thinker as well as being a happy one!.

Of course with me personally I when I look at things deeply I try to see it the way God made it so!. It doesnt matter if it is scientific or social or political or religious or whatever!.

Of course this is just my personal opinion!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

There are lots of Reality shifts and Learning Curves before you learn how to think deep AND be happy!. For example, the "Glass is Half-Empty or Half-Full" dichotomy is a trap--figure out why!. Optimists are dreamers, Pessimists are realists!. There are ethical and emotional pratfalls in the depths of reality, but once you see them clearly (for what they are), you can be a deep thinker and still have happiness!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

That is mostly true!. But if you're deep thinker that looks at the good aspects of life, you won't be depressed!. Though when you think about life, it seems like the bad things outweigh the good things, but when you think deeper into it, there is more good than bad!. Www@QuestionHome@Com

When I started thinking deeply a few years back I got very depressed and angry!.
Then someone told me to relax and it was great advice!.
As long as you relax, you can be happy whether you think deeply or not!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

It's possible but it's probably more rare as opposed to those who are depressed & deep thinkers!. Knowledge is power & power can corrupt!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

You're right, _most_ deep thinkers are depressed pessimists!. But hey, look at Prince Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha)! He was happy!. Www@QuestionHome@Com

you need to start reading some ethical philosophy, more specifically some Stoic ethics!. or better yet, existentialism!. Www@QuestionHome@Com

Yes!. Think deeply about God; read Ecclesiastes, then read Romans!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

No! (read ecclesiastics KJV)Www@QuestionHome@Com

Yes, I'm a perfect example!.Www@QuestionHome@Com