if misery loves company
happiness can be lonely
when that moment of great
triumph or accomplishment
arrives and you’re looking
for someone to celebrate with
the hallways seem to empty
—————————————————————
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Posted on August 11, 2015, in Poetry and tagged DoubleU, Happiness Is Lonely, John White, Poetry. Bookmark the permalink. 105 Comments.
A really interesting piece! I hope that you're keeping well and still writing! 😊
So inspiring. Great words! A really top poem! I like!
Doors are still closed. Loved it! There is comfort in music. Specially when you want to retire from
Eerily enticing!
I cant find you in my reader i have to go check on your post thru my stat
Took a while to fully comprehend your full meaning here. Hurry back, this space has turned into a vo
I love this!! So true :) I have missed your writing, my "reader" doesn't show me the people I follow
Ah yes, the silence With all its traces.. :)
DoubleU = W 
Or if someone is there they just won’t understand!
Exactly! It can be frustrating when others don’t quite get why something upsets you or makes you happy.
Definitely.
🙂
Wow, just when it sounds like you are beginning to doubt yourself, you write this! Great piece!!
Thank you! 🙂 Honestly, I guess there’s always doubt and likely always will be. In some ways it’s fuel for me.
Again, how very true!
Thank you! 🙂
Sometimes, unfortunately, people prefer to see us miserable – Schadenfreude and all that jazz. It’s a pity.
That may be true. It almost makes me wish that we had never imported that word. lol We have our German brethren to thank for it but it fits far too well here. lol
that’s because they can’t stand to see you doing well when they can’t.
That’s it!!! BINGO!! We have a winner. You said it succinctly and perfectly!!
have my own experience with it…unfortunately
It is unfortunate that anyone has that feeling. Perhaps even more unfortunate that people have trouble dealing with anyone else being happy.
I agree with not having someone to share with and also some souls wanting to see us miserable. I would love to have some happy news to share with myself right now! Things have been tough. I so enjoy writing and blogging with others like yourselves!!! Sierra
Thank you, Sierra! 🙂 Sometimes the bad news outweighs the good. Those scales can tip back in the other direction pretty quickly though, thank goodness. It can be hard to find someone to share that happiness with. Especially when someone is dealing with a log of misfortune, they don’t want to know about someone else’s happiness. As I’ve said before humans are strange people. It’s odd how we interact with each other. Here’s to happier times for you! It’s great to meet you!
Great to meet you too and thanks for the good wishes! I like to see other’s happy as it distracts from my cares or simply I enjoy their joy. I feel others pain and happiness due to being highly sensitive to other’s vibes.
It’s great to see others find what they’re looking for. I completely agree!
This is so on point!!!
True happiness is found when one is content with what one has.
Misery comes from discontent — complaining about what one has/doesn’t have and wishing one had more or something else.
So many of us search for happiness (me included) but it’s right under our noses. We simply need to be more appreciative of the blessings we DO have.
Those who understand this are few, and are eventually the ones who rise above the pack/company of misery.
This has been a lesson for me this week. Took me a long time to realize this!
If there’s a hard lesson to learn then that’s it. Material things don’t equal happiness and that much is true without a doubt. It’s trying to find what actually does equal happiness that can put us in search of that “thing” or that “state of being” that gives us peace and happiness.
It starts simply with being alive. That alone is the first gift to be thankful for! Making a list of all the things we’re thankful for is the second step. the rest becomes easier to identify as we become more thankful 🙂
Oh, absolutely! I can agree with that! 🙂
🙂
It takes practice though. Been feeling a bit down for a few days, questioning my purpose, wondering why I can’t find happiness and out of the blue I realized that everything I’d asked for over the years I’d received. I wasn’t being thankful just worrying about the next thing I wanted. So I made the conscious decision to appreciate the blessings I’d been given and a feeling of contentment washed over me quite profoundly. Been sulking over not having a significant other but I’ll be focusing my energy instead on making my life with my little one fun and exciting. When were busy living we have no time for sulking in the corner (at least that’s my new theory) 🙂
That’s a good theory. Take what you have do make the most of it. In the meantime, there’s nothing stopping you from seeking more or hoping to take more out of life. It doesn’t owe us anything but I think it’s possible to get back if you’ve put in. Good things can be had but my mindset it more about going to get those things rather than hoping for those things to come. I invest myself to get something back if that makes any sense. lol
Yes it does make sense. Go for it. LOL
🙂
It’s always a quiet celebration
It sure can be. Is there a more lonely sound than a champagne work popping in an empty room? 😉
Yet we do want to share, just as we want to share in other’s achievements, but with those who are truly happy for us without some resentment which is rare to find. And then there we are lonely again. Great poem.
Thank you! 🙂 You spell out the circular gain/loss of this so well. Maybe without resentment creeping in it might all be so much better. It’s great to meet you!
Likewise.
Price of success?
That price can be high, yes. In this instance I suppose I was wondering where everybody goes when something great happens or a milestone has been reached. There is someone who has achieved something but celebrating alone.
I gotcha.
This is exactly what I fear most about potential success…that it would be isolating…Sometimes it is absolutely terrifying to contemplate…
Thanks, Michael! 🙂 It could wind up being lonely at the top or even anywhere near the top. But true friends will be there for someone if they make it.
Then you need to nurture more social activity in your life. People to share things with. Then all that is tougher is more enjoyable.
That’s a great point! The more people we know, the more activity there is in our lives the more well-rounded we are and the more fulfilled we are.
I hope yours get fulfilled. That is what we are here for.
🙂
I loved this, and the title too 🙂
Thanks, Tejas! 🙂
Few words, but big impact. NICE!!
Thank you so much! 🙂 It’s great to meet you!
Likewise!!
🙂
It’s always lonely at the top. Other than the immediate family no one is really happy with some ones success or happiness. Sad but true😕
It sure is sad. People can be strange or act strange under those circumstances.
I’m always there for you just tweet or email or send me a message through the ethers I know I’ll hear you and respond because once a person is in your heart they are there forever.
Thank you! 🙂
Happiness is lonely, definitely.
Thanks! 🙂 It sure can be unfortunately.
You hit me in the heart!!!
Thank you! 🙂 I hope I didn’t hit you in a bad way. 😦
True words!
Thanks, Amina! 🙂
So true. So simply and beautifully put. Thanks for the follow. Keep writing!
You’re welcome and thank you for dropping in and commenting! 🙂 It’s great to meet you!
So excited myself! Thank you.
🙂
The sad thing is that’s so very true. For every real accomplishment in life I’ve made there’s only been my kids and my mom present but not one friend. And at times it’s only been me. Love it, thanks.
It would be preferable to have friend there for those times but I’ve always wondered why true friends can’t be there for moments like that.
I’m sorry John
Thanks! 🙂 All is well. Luckily this was just a passing moment that I felt needed a few words.
I simply love how you put some things especially this poem. Love it all!
Thank you! 🙂 You are too kind!
That’s the truth for sure!
Thank you! 🙂
maybe they are helping someone else to commiserate..
Thanks! 🙂 That’s true. They may be busy and can’t make it to the celebration.
sorry.. i thought i could lift the corners of your lips for a second with my smarty-dress remark 🙂
HAHA I missed that completely! Yes, you’ve made me smile! 😀
Yay 😊😊
🙂
A thought provoking poem indeed that made me reflect upon my own such experiences, realising that I have, unconsciously, turned them into ‘secrets’. Love your posts.
Thank you! 🙂 It can easily become a habit to celebrate alone and just keep those highlights of our lives to ourselves. I’ve done that too so I understand exactly what you mean. 🙂 It’s great to meet you!
we people overlook what really makes us happy and successful? When triumphs got on the way after a moment we feel let out then ,the joy of the moment is fleeting why? There is lacking in our lives and we have to search within what is it? hmmmmm…. you are the only one who can answer that. Its very reflective makes me wanna write something thank s for a great post.
Thanks, Franz! 🙂 It can all be a misunderstanding when we’re alone in our happiness and it can also be a matter of people (maybe all of us) not paying attention to each other and holding each other up in bad times and good.
communication and rapport is essential indeed . I understand that.
Agreed!
Well said!
Thank you! 🙂 It’s a pleasure to meet you!
Pleasure is mine 🙂
🙂
Take that moment for yourself and feel proud! Sometimes celebrating by yourself is better than sharing the moment with someone who doesn’t really care.. Great post! 🙂
Thank you! 🙂 You may very well be right. Enjoy that moment and celebrate in only the way you know how. Besides, then you can do whatever you want. 🙂 It’s great to meet you!
This is very true. I like this poem most of all.
Happiness is lonely! Isn’t it? Thank you for following my blog.
Thank you! 🙂 Yes it can be very lonely. IT’s great to meet you!
Loneliness is not necessarily a lonely thing. I enjoy being alone . You have written about spaces we all need. I can write at night,when all is quiet and I can see the black river throb from my window…
Thank you! 🙂 Yes those “lonely” times can be great for thinking and sorting out the day and especially for writing.
Reblogged this on Ancien Hippie.
Up until three years ago I never understood how envy works. I just never had to face it. I guess I was really lucky, I just didn’t know it that time. And then came the blast… That’s why I can really relate to this poem! It is a painful truth – sometimes your happyness will show you exactly who are your true friends. It’s harder for some people to be happy with you than to be sad with you. But there is always one or two who will stick around and even if from a distance, they will bathe in your joy as well. 🙂
Thank you! 🙂 Sometimes there’s loneliness in happiness due to envy and then there are those times when others are just “too busy” or preoccupied to celebrate a big occasion. It’s unfortunate and sad but true. It’s great to meet you!
its amazing at how someone can just write exactly at how we feel at a certain moment.. you just did john…thanks..
Thank you! 🙂 Much of it has to be chalked up to coincidence or simply the human condition and all that we have in common.
keep writing .. i love the way you do it..
Oh please, share your joy. I’ll catch. 😉
Thanks! 🙂 If writing wasn’t so cyclical and based on mood and feelings, I’d throw some joy up here on the blog. lol What I’ve always found odd is that the deeper and darker a poem is, the better it’s received. Odd. lol
You’re right. I’ve found the arts to be so subjective. Either people love my art (paintings) or they don’t even think it’s art. They thoroughly enjoy my photography, or think it doesn’t rate. I suppose it might be the same with my writing. But don’t care that much…just write, snap and paint to please my own fine self. 😉 If you’re in the mood to throw some joy around, and want a positive catcher, I’m here. 😀
I agree that’s it all subjective either among the masses or especially among the editors of magazines and journals. We all tend to like what we like and dislike what we dislike. It’s simply a matter of opinion. Here’s hoping that we can continue to write, snap or paint for ourselves while also finding a large audience for what we do! 😀 I’ll work on some sunnier writing and hope you catch it. 😉
Thanks for the thoughtful reply, John. When it comes to the arts, it’s a cray-cray world! Perhaps tipping the boat in a positive direction in the face of obstinate negativity would be good for society’s moral. And then again, there’s a need for balance, as with anything. It reminds me of the Farmer’s Insurance commercial: ‘it’s a Profound Statement’! Looking forward to seeing some of your further work…
Hello again! I agree with you both. I write to work through “stuff” and the dark depressing ones – get the most hits! I had an acquaintence actually worried about my well being due to some of my angst in my words! I also write, draw, take pictures for my own enjoyment. I am thrilled if any touch but one other soul! I enjoy the discussion. Sierra
I suppose it would be natural if someone read your writing and thought something is wrong if it’s really dark. If a writer doesn’t hold back and they’re really forthcoming in what they write anyone might think there’s something wrong. 😉 I enjoy that kind of writing. Of course, if you’ve got other stuff you haven’t shared anywhere stashed in a digital file or a notebook and they see that…well, who knows what they would think. I’m sure if they read everything I’ve written they might consider getting me some intense therapy. lol
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