How can hope and despair be akin?

[Roa_Aoife]

Indeed, though I would venture to say that contentment is much deeper than happiness. I myself have never put much stock in surface emotions, and tend to discount them if they go against reason. (Just call me Dr. Spock.) What I mean by "surface emotions" are those feelings that come and go easily. Good moods, bad moods, happiness, sadness, anger, frustration, fear- all of these come and go depending on our body chemistry. There is little to no meaning or depth in them.

All of these have deeper counter parts, though; things that stay with us, that last. These come from our very souls, and are an outpouring of our hearts. Joy, rage, sorrow, etc. The outside world cannot affect them so well as the inside can. This what is inside you, deep within, and they make up your inner being.

As for contentment, love, peace, etc- I would not call these emotions so much as choices. I choose to love someone, whether I feel like it or not. Those of you who are/were married know that you don't always feel like loving your spouse, but you can choose to do so anyway. I choose to be content with my life. I may do something to change it, but I can be content while waiting.