It takes more courage to be happy than it does to be unhappy.

I heard a man say that at a conference last week. It took a few days to sort it out but I do believe it to be true. I believe it to be true despite that I said a couple months ago that it’s the hope that gets you, not the despair.

I believe that to be true also. Despair is something altogether different though than being unhappy in an all-encompassing sense.

The statements are connected, really. Having your hopes dashed is so painful, and it will happen from time to time or maybe even often. Choosing, however, to ride out happiness knowing that it could end in despair takes a shit ton of courage.

Risking disappointment takes courage.

Or you could choose not to hope at all, and just be unhappy. That takes very little effort at all.