A constant state of ‘happy’ has a range of zero. One feeling, all the time. Imagine one meal all the time. The mind-numbing soul destroying temperature of sameness. A meaningful life has range. Highs and lows, giving us comparative power, ability to measure, creating data for analysis. Range of feeling and emotion is more interesting and valuable. And paradoxically, I’m happy most of the time because I seek daily life beyond sameness. I indulge risk that creates struggle with uncertain outcomes. Sometimes I’m freaked out, others elated, some morbidly depressed. I love my capacity to feel and live intensely. That makes me happy. Pop culture ref: Repo Man (1984) Harry Dean Stanton as Bud “the life of a repo man is always intense”.