Mystery of Happiness and Sadness (poem) by John Herlihy on AuthorsDen

Mystery of Happiness and Sadness
by John Herlihy → (All Poetry by John Herlihy)
Wednesday, December 17, 2025 Rated "G" by the Author.

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The Mystery of Happiness and Sadness by John Herlihy We don't always know what makes us sad. We don't always know what makes us glad. The world is what it is, there is no changing, Only our many emotions in order arranging. Sometimes things in life make us happy, Sometimes things in life make us sad. Sometimes sad without knowing why, A sadness that makes us want to cry. Sometimes we're sad and we know why, A sadness that makes us want to sigh. We don't decide what to be sad about, We don't decide what to be glad about. Embrace sadness, it's okay to be sad, Embrace gladness, it's okay to be glad. Sometimes they hit you all at once, You don't know what to make of it. Sometimes you don't know what hit you; You will never know what to make of it. Happiness and sadness: it is what it is Better to let things be what they are. This is what life does, plain and simple How we react, now that's profound. Only to live in view of what life is Not to live for what life can never be - - - - - Copyright © John Herlihy Wednesday 27 August 2025

Reviewed by Rebecca McKeehan

Reviewed on January 19, 2026

I find a lot of truth in the fifth verse. Happiness and Sadness are, indeed, their own realities and it is better to let them be what they are. It's when we try to change them, make them into something they're not, that we suffer most.

Rebecca

Reviewed by Jms Bell

Reviewed on January 6, 2026

THIS WHOLE UNIVERSE IS KEPT TOGETHER VIA NEGATIVE AND POSITIVE FORCES. THUS, WITH HAPPINESS AND SADNESS...THE ABILITY TO NAVIGATE EACH IS BECAUSE OF THE PRESENCE OF THEM BOTH IN OUR LIVES...IN THE LIGHT OF EACH WE ACQUIRE STRENGTH TO LIVE. THANKS. LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH...HIS+INSPIRATIONS

Reviewed by Mystic Rose

Reviewed on December 20, 2025

There is so much truth in your words John, if only we could let them be , the sadness and grief I mean, our nature incline is to chase them away and avoid the, rather than allowing them space, I'm praying your Xmas will be more joyful than sad, this year, take care, :)

Reviewed by Ronald Hull

Reviewed on December 17, 2025

We have those emotions for a reason. They're part of our survival instinct. Happiness and sadness help us get through the best and the worst of times. Your poem covers those quite nicely.

Ron

Reviewed by Odin odin@aflx.com

In a world of teeter-todder changes in balance from day to day, your piece here is full of throught and heart provoking consideration. I generally find I can get through the majority of sadness by focusing on some happiness throught and feeling. The last two days have been very tense for me, full at times with anger, then sadness and finally acceptiance as just yesterday's heavy baggage we can determine to carry with us or leave it on the platform it was delivers. The Reiner murders really got to me, and Trump's warring late-night nonsense with his banning 39 countries from traveling here and the ridiculous position he's taking of Venezuela. Anyway, your poem was welcome confirmation of my usually workable technique to staying relatively happy. Thanks for posting.