Be happy - a moral obligation

During a conversation with a friend, he said this: it's a moral obligation to be happy. That statement stopped me short. I looked at him with confusion written all over my face. What does he mean by that? Why is it a moral obligation to be happy? We have the right to be happy whenever we want to be. How is it that it's a moral obligation? Since when being happy has become an act of considerations of right and wrong, namely, a moral obligation?

As I thought about it, I came to realise his reason for making this statement. We humans are an emotional bunch of creatures (do excuse my description of us humans if this offends you.. xD). We are easily affected by other people's emotions. Agree? Let me give you an example. When someone around you is feeling down or upset, you tend to be affected by it to some degree. It's true.

So, how does this make being happy is a moral obligation? Well, there are bound to be times when we are upset about something and there are people around us. Don't you think it is a moral obligation to not show your negative emotion just to keep the mood of the people around us up? Wouldn't it be awkward for those people around you if you put on a black face for them?

Think about this: you are in a social gathering. Everyone is happy and having fun. Suddenly, someone walk in with an extremely pissed off face. Can you feel the mood going down already as you are imagining this scenario? Some people might think, gosh, what a party pooper. This is exactly what my friend meant by saying that it's a moral obligation to be happy. That person could have come in to the social gathering with a smile even though he or she is not happy. Just so that the atmosphere of the gathering will continue to remain light and happy.

Whenever I am with a bunch of friends, I really hate to see someone feeling down. It makes me feel uncomfortable and not at peace. I felt so guilty for enjoying myself while that person is feeling down. It doesn't seems right to have fun when someone is feeling down, you get what I mean? Thinking back, I remember the countless times I show my negative emotions (that was when I was younger, okay.. I was young and immature.. xD) when I am around people. I feel so bad about it now because I am making all those people around me feel awful and uncomfortable.

My friend gave a very good example. A husband and wife are in the middle of a huge row. They are screaming at each other, really angry. Suddenly, the doorbell rang. Immediately, they put on a smile and open the door to greet whoever that is at the door. They did that just so that the person will not feel awkward or bad or uncomfortable because they are considerate about other people's welfare.

I totally agree with my friend. How true it is that it is a moral obligation to be happy. We should be more considerate about other people's feelings. One of the bad side of us humans is that we are selfish and self-centred. We can't be bothered about other people's welfare when we are so mad at something or someone. We also want other people's sympathy, so we show our negative emotions. Admit it. That is one of the reasons we show our negative emotions. I know that was one of mine. (yes, I am shameless.. hahahaha..) 

But all this while, it never occur to us that we affected the mood of others when we are so inconsiderate. So, let us stop being inconsiderate and start to put others before us. I find it hard to be happy when I am not. Well, my strategy is that if I really can't pretend to be happy, I would go to a place where I can be alone for a while. Until I am more emotionally stable then only will I rejoin the human society.

There is always time for you to be upset when you are alone. Or with your closest friend or family. But please, do try to be considerate about others and not affect others with your negative energy. It spreads really fast. Trust me when I say this. I know far too well. (yes, yes.. I started it.. =P) Maybe there are people that can ignore it. But not everyone has that ability.

Think about what I wrote. I hope you will come to the same conclusion as I did. It is a moral obligation to be happy.