What Rational Hedonism is NOT:Rational Hedonism is not affiliated with the adults-only Hedonism resorts promising promiscuity (Sorry!).
Rational Hedonism is not about being physically beautiful, having an athletic or willowy figure, wearing designer clothes, salon-styled hair, professionally-done makeup, and emitting heavenly expensive perfume or cologne. If you are beautiful, athletic, willowy ... thank your parents and your random combination of genes (or your plastic surgeon). You don't have to be model material to love the person you see in the mirror. If you truly get joy and happiness from buying the latest fashion and accessories, then smile, enjoy, indulge and shop! BUT, Don't fall for the illusions waving before you from diet companies, the cosmetic, hair product, shoe and clothing industries who stay in business by keeping you worried about body odor, limp, flakey hair, looking tired or old, how others see you. Every year billions of dollars are spent buying into their perceptions, their prejudices, their merchandise, making those people rich and happy, taking your money which could be used to do and buy the things that really do make you happy. Notice commercials and magazines are always reminding you what you don't have or aren't doing? Mute the commercials and don't pick up the gossip or fashion magazines, and you're taking a step towards a more rationally hedonistic life. Rational Hedonism is not about having millions (even billions, nowadays) of dollars or euros, of being eligible for "The Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous". Rational Hedonism is not about how many "toys" you can afford, but being able to enjoy the toys you do have; of not having/doing something because it's suddenly the thing to have/do, or the place to visit. Many lottery winners have found this out the hard way. Money buys happiness for a very short time, and then what? The person looking back from the mirror is still the same person as before. Studies show that very wealthy are not really much happier or stress free than anyone else. Rational Hedonism is not affiliated with "Bioethical Abolitionism" or psychopharmacological drugs. Bioethical Abolitionism strives to wipe out all suffering, believing that depression is biological and physical, not mental, that medication can alter the chemicals in the brain, creating a constant state of happiness. The long-term effects of this theory have not been shown, you'd think eventually your brain would be so overwhelmed with "feel good" endorphins over time that it would cause emotional numbness, similar to the effects of meth, or like an addict, suddenly cut off from it, the mind would experience terrible withdrawal and worse depression, unable to be happy without it, craving that "happiness" drug. Drugs, medication is not always the solution. That is a decision for a medical professional. See your doctor or psychologist or even tell a friend when overwhelmed with depression. The line in the song, Row Your Boat, "Life is but a Dream" is not true. It's the only life you get. You don't want to float through it without experiencing the triumphs and successes and truly wonderful moments with a rational and clear head.
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AuthorG.K. is currently the official Spokesman representing Rational Hedonism online; an Ordained Celebrant (not "celibate"!) with R.H. and conducts or advises others with Weddings, Civil Unions, Remembrance Ceremonies (both people and pets), Adoption and Naming Ceremonies; and conducts "Garden" Parties for Rational Hedonists throughout the United States. Archives
March 2014
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