Write to Win: What makes someone happy when they are sad, but also makes them sad when they are happy? (Round 3)

Marigold: Departure. Leaving a sad situation often elicits a sense of jubilation, for there is much relief in exiting gloom. After all, the successful escape from a despondent situation brings celebration ­– much like waking up from a bad dream. Leaving a hospital, for instance, commonly engenders happiness. However, departing sunny, jocund environments frequently incites feelings of sorrow, for nobody wishes to leave a place of exuberance. Vacations pose a perspicuous example: it is difficult to readjust to everyday life after a restorative trip. As such, departure can evoke mixed feelings, depending on the context.

Rose: Change. When someone is grieving, they tend to become pessimistic. However, the prospect of change can offer them hope, encouraging them to uproot the obstacles. Discouraging as it seems, they still believe that every cloud has a silver lining and they will reap what they sow even though it is not all plain sailing. Conversely, change can make someone feel perturbed when they are satisfied with their current situation. The thought of change may make them feel the fear of losing something and anxiety of leaving their comfort zone, which can evoke sadness or a sense of nostalgia.

Lavender: When life makes you feel downcast, positive memories from the past have the ability to reignite your gloomy heart. Thoughts of the past that are full of delight can blow away the glum which is in your reality. However, when you are full of joy, beaming memories can also make you fall into endless yearning. The euphoria you feel when you are with people from the past is a poison that makes you miss the old days. Memories can always make us feel paradoxical, but everything in the past is real.

Jasmine: The notion that “it will pass”. When we feel we are on cloud nine, we wish to stay in the moment on a loop, but we think it is too good to be true, for all good things will pass. But when we are lost and broken, we know within us lies the valour to overcome these challenges. Even the darkest of midnights will pass. Time is neither a friend nor an enemy but a force that propels us along our life’s journey. We can count on it to trudge us along, leading us down a river of bittersweet remembrance, reminiscing the good, the bad and the ugly that have shaped us today.

Tulip: Memories. When someone is feeling sad or down, reflecting on happy memories can bring a sense of joy and uplift their mood. Memories of joyful experiences and loved ones can remind them of happier times and provide comfort during tough moments. On the other hand, when someone is already feeling happy, memories can also bring a tinge of sadness. Happy memories can serve as a reminder of people or experiences that are no longer present in their lives. It evokes a recognition that those moments cannot be relived exactly as they were.

Lily: Change can evoke both happiness and sadness. Leaving familiar places and stepping out of comfort zones brings uncertainty and discomfort. Saying goodbye to our beloved family members signifies the end of happy times. However, change also brings opportunities, offering new environments to excel in. Embracing change develops adaptability and resilience. It encourages personal growth, innovation, and broadens our perspective. Overcoming the fear of the unknown helps us flourish in courage. Change remind us of life’s impermanence, urging us to appreciate the present.

Lotus: Memories have the power to bring you joy in times of despair and sorrow. They’re like pieces of crumpled-up paper, each holding its unique content. Recalling a memory is like opening a piece of paper and discovering what’s inside; when they’re organised, they become a book called life, as memories aren’t merely past thoughts. They shape our lives and future. When we worry about our future, memories can remind us of our capabilities; when we reminisce about a joyful memory, it can make us sad.