Mother's Day + Black Swans

 Psych & Such  |  9 May 2021

Happy Mother's Day!

From Nassim Nicholas Taleb in his influential book,The Black Swan:

"...your happiness depends far more on the number of instances of positive feelings, what psychologists call 'positive affect,' than on their intensity when they hit. In other words, good news is good news first; how good matters rather little." (original emphasis included; p. 91)

This excerpt reminds me of the much-discussed idea of chasing happiness versus living in joy. While happiness can bring about an intense experience of positive affect, it may not in fact carry the same weight and value as "toned down" doses of positive affect that coincide with the existence of joy.

For all mothers celebrating with their families today (and most likely experiencing great happiness), may you always know the presence of joy in those relationships that matter most to you.  Motherhood may not always be glamorous, but is it grounded in consistent and reliable joy? This humble (and less sexy) source of positive affect can define and shape a worthy and meaningful life.