Happiness is not the absence of sadness

Happiness is not the absence of sadness.

In fact -

it is predicated upon it.

Enjoyment, satisfaction, purpose.

A meal with friends, achieving a goal, a sense of direction.

They all require delayed gratification, pain, suffering and striving.

Regrets hurt but they lead to better decisions.

Misery is painful but it inspires creativity.

To suffer is to understand the suffering of others.

Unhappiness is critical to happiness.

After all, everything is relative.

Without loss, how do we know love is so precious?

In the absence of despair, how do we recognise elation?

Absent the darkness

and there is no dawn.